SKETCH 



OF THE 



MOSqUITO SHORE, 



INCLUDING THE 

TERRITORY OF POYAIS, 

DESCRIPTIVE OF THE COUNTRY ; 

WITH SOME IXFORMATION AS TO 

ITS PRODUCTIONS, THE BEST MODE OF CULTURE, ^c. 

iS^itfi^ ittteHHeH for tje mu of Settlers* 



BY THOMAS STRANGEWAYi?, K. G. C. 

CAPTAIN 1st NATIVE POYER REGIMENT, AND AID-DE-CAMJ* tO HIS 
HIGHNESS GREGOR, CAZIQUE OF POYAIS. 



EDINBURGH: 

SOLD PY WILLIA?^ BLACKWOOD, EDINBURGH ; 
AND T. CADDELL, STRAND, LONDON. 



1822. 





W. Rdid, Printer, Leith. 









TO HIS HIGHNESS 

GREGOB, CAZIQUB OF POYAIS, 

THIS SKETCH 

OP THE 



INCLUDING THE 

TBBRXTORY OP POYAIS, 

IS RESPECTFULLY INSCRIBED, 

BY 

HIS HIGHNESS'S MOST DEVOTED, 
AKD MOST OBEDIENT HUMBLE SERVANT, 

THE AUTHOR. 



CONTENTS. 



Page 

Name - - - » - - 3 

Extent anb Boundaries - - - 4 

Coasts, Capes, Bays, Harbours, Lakes, and 

KlVERS. 

Truxillo Harbour, Cape Honduras, Cabbage 
Tree or Three Leagues Point Lagoon, Salt 
River Lagoon, Great lloman River, or El Rio- 
Grande, Lime-House River, Zachary Lyon 
River, Praunow Creek, Camaron Cape and 
River, Black River, or El Rio Tinto, Black 
River Lagoon, Plantain River, Brewers La- 
goon, Patook River, Little Patook River, 
Caractasca Lagoon, or Bahia de Cartago, 
Croak or Crotch River, False Cape, Little 
Black River, Cape Gracias a Dios, Wanks, 
or Great Cape River, or Yowra or Golden 
River, Warners Sound, Sintipoco River, 
Sandy Bay, Governor's Point, Stony Island, 
Housetana Creek, Waniessa,Brangman's Bluff 
or Monte Gordo, Ville Coose River, Wava 
Lagoon, Zongular Lagoon, Prince Pulko 
River, Little Snook Creek, Great River, or 
Rio Grande, Alligator Creek, Pearl Key La- 
goon, Bluefields Lagoon, or Hone Sound, 
Bluefields River, or Rio Escondido, or of 
Neuva Sigovia, Monkey Point, Varin Key 
River, Rio de Pinula Gorda, Grindstone 
Bay, Corn River, Indian River, Rio de San 
Juan, Lake of Nicaragua, Rio Colorado, Rjo 
de los Anguelos, and Rio Vasques, Port of 
Cartago and Carpenter's River, Lagoon of 
a 



tl COXTENT?. 

Chiriqui and Bahia del Almirante, Boca del 
Toro and Boco del Drago. - - . 5 

Islands, 

Ruatan, (Port Royal Harbour), Guanaja [or 
Bcnaca, Swan Islands or Santanillas, Old 
Providence, and Santa Catalina, San Andres 
or Saint Andrews, Corn Islands or Islas de 
Manglares, - - - - . 39 

Mountains. 

Sierras de la Cruz, or Poyer Hills, Picacho, &c. 53 
Climatp:, ------- 54, 

Seasons, ------- 55 

Soil, -----, -- 59 

Minerals, and Mineral Springs. 

Gold, &c. Lapis Calaminaris, Hot and Cold 

Springs, -.---- g3 

Trees, Shrubs, Plants, &c. 

Mahogany, Logwood, Cedar, Santa Maria, Sum- 
Wood or Some Wood, Otica or Bastard 
Lignumvita3, Fustic, Yellow Sanders, Pine, 
Mangrove, Seaside Grape or Mangrove 
Grape Tree, Sapodilla, Palmetto, Palmetto 
Royal or Mountain Cabbage, Iron wood. 
Calabash Tree, Button Wood, Bullet Tree, 
Willow, Bambco, Mohoe, Caoutchouc, Lo- 
cust Tree, Polewood, Brazilleto, Dragon's 
Blood Tree, Cocoa Nut, Silk Cotton Tree, 
Zebra, Wild Fig Tree, Rosewood, Nicaragua 
Wood, Copal Tree, Capevi Tree, Physic Nut 
Tree, Lime Tree, Sweet Lime Tree, Lemon 
Tree, Seville Orange, Citron Tree, China 
Orange, Shaddock Tree, Forbidden Fruit, 
Avocato Pear, Tamarind Tree, GuavaTree, 
Mangeneel Tree, I*imento Tree, Anoto, Coca 
Plum Tree, Plantane Tree, Aloe Plant, Chaw 
Stick, Palma Christi, Arrow Root, Cassava, 
Vanglo or Oil Plant, Eryngo or Fittwood^ 
Tomato, Guinea Pepper, Vanilla, Cowhage^ 



CONTS^TS, HI 

Snake Okro, Okro, Contrayerva, Foxglove, 
Sarsaparilla, Ipecacuanha, Yam, Potatoe, or 
Potatoe Slip, Ginger, Wild Pine, Pine Apple, 
Pinguin, Pine Apple, Gourd, Scotch Grass, 
Guinea Grass, -----. 65 

Quadrupeds. 

Horse, Cow, Buffalo, Mules, Hogs, Pecarry, 
Waree, Gibeonite, Indian Coney, Tiger, or 
Jaguer, Black Tiger, Mexican Cat, Cougouar, 
Leopard, Deer, Antelope, Armadillo, (three, 
eight, and nine-banded) Quash, Ant-eaters, 
Opossum, Racoon, Grey Fox, Red Squirrel, 
Porcupine, Mountain -Cow, Monkeys, Otter, 
Manati, 144 

BiftDS. 

Wild Turkey, Curassow, Quam, Coquericot, 
Partridge, Quail, Dove, Wood Pigeon, Spoon- 
bill, White, Grey, and BlueGualdings, Plover, 
Curlew, Snipe, Ducks, Macaos, Parrots, 
Parakeets, Bill, Banana and Rice Birds, Peli- 
can, Cormorant, Swallows, Rain Bird, Hum- 
ming Bird, 180 

Fishes. 

Rock-Fish, Grooper, Jew Fish, Black and Red 
Snapper, Hog, Sword and Gar Fishes, Piper, 
Pike, Baracouta, Parrot Fish, Mud Fish, 
Mullet, Calapaver, Mountain Mullet, Drum- 
mer, Stonebass, Grunt, Spanish Mackarel, 
King Fish, Cavalee, Snook, Old Wife, Floun- 
der, Eel, Porgee, Sprat, Porpoise, Tropon, 
Sting Ray, Sheephead, Shark, Cat Fish, 
Green Turtle, Lotrgerhead Turtle, Hawks- 
bill Turtle, Terrapin, Hicatee, Cray Fish, 
Crab?, Oysters, Conque, Wilk, - - 208 

Reptiles. 

Snakes, Iguana, Basilisk, Gaily Wasp, Wood 

Slave, *---.- 2'23 

a ^ 



IV <:ONTr.NTS. 



Pugs 



Insects. 

Musquetoe, Sand Fly, Fire Fly, Cock Roach, 

Chigger, Cochineal, - - - • 228 
Agriculture, &c. 

Sugar Cane, (Rum,) Cotton, Indigo, Coffee, 

Cacao, Tobacco, Rice, Maize, or Indian Corn, 23G 
Manners anj) Customs of the Native Inpians, 328 
Commerce, ----- 339 



PREFACE. 



The Author of the following Sketch of " The 

"MosqUITO^SHORE, INCLUDING THE TERRITORY OF 

* PoYAis," being impressed with a thorough con- 
viction of the immense benefit which not. only the 
native tribes of Mosquitia, but the neighbouring 
countries in general, must derive, from the civiliza- 
tion and improvement of one of the fairest portions 
of, the globe, has endeavoured in the following 
sheets, to attract the attention of enlightened Euro- 
peans to the subject, by combining the knowledge 
of its history, natural productions, the best mode of 
culture, &c. which he acquhed during a portion of 
his life spent in that part of the world — with the 
information afforded to him by the few but authen- 
tic authors who have written any thing on the sub- 
ject. 

In this undertaking, he has endeavoured, as much 
as possible, to avoid making any statement which 
might appear doubtful or exaggerated, especially to 
such of his readers as are unacquainted with the 
circumstances that have until now retarded the 
civilization of this hitherto neglected country ; and 
he has tb^refore confined himself, as much as pos- 
sible, to such plain and positive facts, as are establish- 



VI preface;. 

ed beyond the shadow of doubt, by reference to the 
authorities alluded to, — being aware, that although 
he may have thereby rendered the publication less 
entertaining to general readers, those who are likely 
to be more nearly interested will be better pleased 
with the plain statement exhibited. 

He has endeavoured, under the head of Agricul- 
ture, to give a full sketch of the usual mode of 
management, and probable returns, which may be ex- 
pected from some of the leading articles of produce ; 
and he hopes the industrious planter or farmer, will 
find this not the least interesting part of the book. 

He may here be permitted to observe, that there 
seems good reason to believe, that at least a part r 
the native tribes of Mosquitia, (perhaps the Foyers 
in particular), were at one period better acquainted 
than at present with many of the arts of civiliza- 
tion ; and some of the customs of the Foyers, and 
others in the interior, together with the antiquities 
found in their country, and their hereditary enmity 
to the Spanish nation, seems clearly to indicate 
their descent from some of those brave Mexican 
tribes, who declined submission to the yoke of the 
destroyers of the unfortunate Montezuma ; and al- 
though a barbarous policy has retarded their return 
to, or advancement in civilization, they themselves 
have repeatedly shewn art anxious desire to ac- 
quire the arts of Europe, as is manifest by their re- 
peated invitations to the English, to form settle- 



PREFACE. Vlt 

nients amongst them, as well as by their former 
offers to cede a part of their country to Great Bri- 
tain ; thereby shewing that their aversion to Spain 
does not extend to all the other nations of Europe. 
Their friendship for the British has indeed been 
constant and uninterrupted, and their honesty and 
good disposition, manifested not only by their fi- 
delity to the former English settlers, but also by 
their kindness to every peaceable person, who for 
the purposes of trade or otherwise, has occasionally 
resided amongst them. 

The proclamation, which was addressed to the in- 
habitants of Poyais, by His Highness the Cazique, on 
leaving that country, (dated at Rio Seco the 13th of 
April 1821,) states, that His Highness's present visit 
to Europe, is for the purpose of procuring religious 
and moral instructors, the implements of husbandry, 
and persons to guide and assist in the cultivation of 
the soil ; and it very particularly mentions, that no 
person but the honest and industrious, shall find an 
asylum in the Territory. By a strict adherence to 
these principles, by a firm and equitable adminis- 
tration of justice, to native and settler, without re- 
spect of persons, and by strictly guarding against, 
and discouraging, the introduction of those vicious 
and immoral habits, which are unhappily too pre- 
valent in the West India Islands, tending to sub- 
vert every good and social principle. His Highness 
will continue to merit the esteem of his faithful 



TIU PREFACE. 

Foyers, establish his power on a sure basis, gratify 
every friend to the improvement of the human 
race, and earn to himself immortal honour. 

The Author had intended to prefix to the present 
Sketch of the Mosquito Shore, a short " Memoir of 
the Macgregor." But the documents and referen- 
ces which he found it necessary \o consult and 
quote, before even a concise view of the subject 
could be exhibited, were so voluminous, that he 
has been obliged to reserve this part of the subject, 
which may perhaps include a brief Sketch of the 
principal events of His Highness's life, for a sepa- 
rate publication. 

That the chief of this very old clan (the clan 
Alpin or clan Gregor,) is directly decended from 
the ancient Kings of Scotland, is generally known 
and admitted ; and the Author ventures to assert, 
that the right of His Highness Gregor, Cazique of 
Poyais, to the Chieftainship, cannot be disproved. 

The Author hopes for the indulgence of his read- 
ers, for many deficiencies and omissions in the pre- 
sent publication ; but should this imperfect Sketch 
be the means of directing the attention of the ag- 
riculturists of Europe, to the numerous advantages 
which may be enjoyed in this fine country, — or of 
assisting the first settlers, or of forwarding in the 
smallest degree, the great and good objects contem- 
plated, — he will consider that his exertions have 
not been in vain. 




A SKETCH 



OF THE 



JHOSqUITO ^HORE, 



INCLUDING THE 



TERRITORY OF POYAIS, &g. 



NAME. 



This country, it is generally supposed, derives 

its name from a cluster of small islands, or banks, 

situated near its coasts, and called the Mosqvittost 

some late geographers have designated it l?y the 

name of Mosquitia, which is certainly a more 

elegant appellation than that of Mosquito Shore^ 

conveying to a stranger ignorant of its derivation, 

the idea of a country infested with Mosclietos^ 

which would be a very unjust conclusion, as thei;e 

are perhaps few countries under the tropics, so 

little troubled with these disagreeable insects, 

4 



4 
EXTENT AND BOUNDARIES. 



The Mosquito Shore extends from the Point of 
Castile, or Cape Honduras, being the northern 
Point of Truxillo Bay, to the River St John's, 
called by the Spaniards San Juan de Nicaragua, 
being 182 leagues of shore. A chain of lofty moun- 
tains run diagonally from Point Castile to St Juan's, 
and serve as a strong barrier between the Spanish 
and Mosquito territories. The area of the latter,, 
which is one-third larger than the kingdom of Por- 
tugal, forms an irregular triangle, of which Cape 
Gracias a Dios, makes the apex*. 

It is bounded on the North by the Sea of Hon^ 
duras ; on the South by the river of San Juan ; on 
the East by the Carribean Sea, and Bay of Guate- 
mala ; and on the West by the Spanish Provinces 
of Honduras and Nicaragua, Its greatest length 
from north to south, may be estimated at 340 
miles ; and its extreme breadth at 235 miles. At 
a medium we may venture to give it an area of 
70,000 square miles. To this we ought to add the 
district of Talamancas, claimed by the king of the 
Mosquito nation, containing about 4200 square 



* Memoir of the Mosquita Territory, by Captain Wright^ 
il N. 1808— p. 11. 



miles; and also the territory o£ Chiriqui, which 
may be estimated at 18G0 square miles ; these two 
districts make an addition of 6000 square miles 
more, which added to the Mosquito Shore proper, 
gives a total of 76,000 square miles, or 48,640,000 
English acres. 



COASTS, CAPES, BAYS, HARBOURS, 
LAKES, AND RIVERS. 

The coasts are generally flat, and surrounded with 
reefs; but the interior is so variegated, as to render 
a successful invasion impracticable, it being pro- 
tected on all sides by morasses and inaccessible moun- 
tains*. Captain Speer describes the country as 
full of large rivers, that run some hundred miles 
up into a fine, healthy, and fruitful country ; the 
soil producing every thing that usually grows in 
North America and the West Indies. 

Truxillo Harbour, being the westernmost ex- 
treme of the Mosquito shore, is a noble large bay, 
where are the commodious harbours of Little^ and 
Big Puerto Novo, and where large vessels may lie 
in perfect safety f . This bay abounds with fish, 
game, wood, and water. Truxillo bay is a very 
safe harbour, and easy of access in bad weather, or 



* Columbian Navigator, published by Lawrie and Whittle^ 
1819. 

t Wright's Memoir, p. 16. ' 

A3 



6 

in strong northerly winds. Excepting a few rocks 
which lie round St Luke^s Kay (or island), at the 
entrance of the bay, on the south shore, there is no 
danger in any part of the bay ; and it is so capa- 
tious, that aU the navy of England may safely ride 
within it. The tide is not perceptible here ; the 
easterly winds prevail during the greater part of 
the year *. Captain Hester says, water is here in 
great plenty. In watering, you may either land your 
casks, and roll them over a narrow neck of land, or 
you may fill them in your boats, with buckets, 8tc. 
out of many rivulets ; but the chief place is Crys- 
tal River, which bears S.E. by S. from the outer 
part of the bay. Here are to be found turtle, manati, 
with pecarys, warrys, and many other kinds of wild 
game in the season ; also great plenty offish. Ma^ 
hogariy and fustic are ir^ abundance. You may 
load anywhere in safety. 

•Cape Honduras forms the northern part of the 
bay of Truxillo, and the westernmost point of the 
North-Mosquito coast ; it is also called Punta dc 
Castillo, and Caho Delgado by the Spaniards. In 
Laurie and Whittle's chart of the West Indies, it 
is laid down in latitude 1& T, and longitude 86° 2', 
The late Spanish charts place it in longitude 86" 12', 
or IQ minutes more to the west, making the dis- 
tance fvom Cape Camaron 20, instead of 17 leagues, 

^ Columbian Navigator^ p. 52. 



as in Laurie and Whittle's charts. I do not pre- 
tend to decide its true longitude, but am rather in- 
clined to think the Spanish correct, as the distance 
between the two capes is undoubtedly 20 leagues. 
The point forming the north side of Truxilh Bay 
is low, and a considerable reef of coral rocks, with 
sand, stretches from it to the westward. The land 
of the interior, hence to the eastward, appears high 
and variegated. 

Cabbage Tree^ or Three Leagues Point La- 
goon, lays about twelve miles to the eastward of 
Cape Honduras; it is of a small extent, but with a 
very wide mouth, and has a reef of rocks laying off 
its westernmost entrance. 

Salt River Lagoon, lays a few miles inland, a 
little to the eastward of the former, and has a small 
river running out of it, which empties itself into the 
sea ; here, it is said, large quantities of salt might be 
made. 

Great Roman River, called by the Spaniards, 
j5J/ Rio Grande, empties itself into the sea, after 
^ course of about one hundred and fifty miles, by 
two mouths, which are formed hy Spark's island, 
Several considerable streams empty themselves iur 
to it, the chief of which are the Rio Guayape, 
which rises in the mountains in the neighbourhood 
of Olancho el Viejo, where there are mines of 
silver. The Rio Yanque, has its head waters in 
the immediate vicinity of the silver mines, and i^ 



its course passes by the Spanish towns of San 
Gorge de Olancho^ and Soneguera^ and empties 
itself into the great Roman river, about thirty 
miles below the latter town, where the Guayape 
also forms a junction with it. 

Lime-house River ^ is the next on the coast, and 
has a course of about forty miles; from the sea 
it is known by a saddle mountain with a sugar loaf 
hill on one side, and by another sugar loaf on the 
other side, whose top appears to be broken off. To 
the eastward of the mouth of the river are the Great 
jRocks, which shew themselves like a round bluff; 
they are close to the sea side, about a mile from 
the shore. The bluff point of the Great Rocks to 
the eastward, and old Roman point, make ZzW- 
house Bight Further on are the Little RockSy 
and between them and the Great Rocks are the 
two rivers called Piazv River and Piaw Creek* 
At Piaw River there is anchorage. 

Zachary Lyon River follows next, and has a 
course of about 30 miles ; it has high land, right 
over it, in the form of a sugar loaf, not unlike 
that over Black River, but distinguished by a saddle 
mountain, a little to the westward ; between Piaw 
river and the Zachary -lyon river, there is a small 
bay, called the Turtle Bight. It is on the banks 
of the Zachary Lyon, that the proposed Hebrew co- 
lony is about to be established. The title-deed 



to whicli property, has already been transmitted 
to a respectable house in London, 

Praunow Creek^ is only two miles to the west- 
ward of Cape Camaron River; the opening is ea- 
sily seen from the sea, as the eastern side is distin- 
guished by a high sand hill, and on the western side 
a spit stretches out a mile into the sea. This 
river forms the eastern boundary of the projected 
Hebrew colony. 

Cape Camaron, and River, are the next import- 
ant points on the coast. The Cape, as determined 
by the Spanish observers, lies in 16*^ 2' north and 
85^ 9' west The coast between Cape Honduras and 
Cape Camaron is irregular ; there are gradual sound- 
ings in approaching, but there are some patches of 
rocks along shore. 

Black River ; the entrance of this, which is to 
the eastward of Cape Camaron, has been determin- 
ed by the Spanish observers, to be in 13° 58' North, 
and 84** 55' West, or at the distance of about 
twelve miles from the cape. 

The Spaniards call it Rio Tinto ; it has a course 
of about one hundred and twenty miles, and several 
considerable streams empty themselves into it. 
It is navigable for small craft till within about 
twenty miles of its principal source. About for- 
ty miles from the sea, on its left bank, is situated 
the town of Poyais, the capital of the tcriitory of 
this name. And about fifty miles higher up is the 



10 

EinharcaderOy from whence there is an Indian patli 
leading to Manto, or Olancho el Vigo, in the 
neighbourhood of which, as already observed, there 
are rich silver mines. At the junction of two of 
its branches, and in latitude 15^ 8' at the base of a 
ridge of mountains, are two remarkable hot and 
cold springs, situated close to each other. " Its 
entrance '*, the only harbour on all this coast from 
*' Rattan to Cape Gracias a Dios, was for more than 
" 60 years the refuge of the Logwood-cutters, when 
" the Spaniards drove them from the forests of East 
" Yucatan ; they waited there in safety for the 
" moment their enemies should retire. As their 
" expulsions were frequent, and always unforeseen, 
" the ships which went to load with logwood in the 
" bay of Honduras, chose to touch first at the 
" Black River, to get intelligence, and to deter- 
" mine in consequence the manner of pursuing 
" their voyage. Wood-cutters, sailors, deserters, 
" and adventurers of several kinds, fixed themselves 
" insensibly in this place ; they received merchan- 
** dise in return for the fruits of their labour, and 
" soon established a lucrative trade with the Spa- 
" niards in the inland parts. The last treaty of 
** peace, which secures to the wood-cutters the nn- 
*' interrupted enjoyment of their forests, far from 
" making the Black River deserted, has given more 
" activity to the settlement. The sea coast is san- 
** dy, generally low and swampy, with mangrove 



11 

" trees : higher upon the rivers and lagoons, the 
" soil more fertile, produces many plantains, co- 
' coa-trees, maize, yams, potatoes, and several 
" other vegetables ; the passion of drinking rum 
" has made them begin the planting of sugar canes. 
" The rivers, as well as the lagoons, are extremely 
" well stored with fish, the forests filled with deer, 
" pecarys or Mexican swine, and game. On the shores 
" they catch the finest turtle, from March to June, 
" and from August to the end of September ; be- 
" sides this fishery, which is very plentiful, the Black 
" River settlers cut mahogany and zebra wood, and 
" gather a great deal of sarsaparilla. These settlers, 
** still fewer in number than those of the Bay of 
" Honduras, are like them under the inspection of 
*• the commander of the frigate which cruises on the 
" coast : but the colony is so well situated, that it 
" cannot fail of increasing ; the Government, who 
" destroyed their fort at the peace, in vain neglects 
" it. It is one of those plants, which placed by 
" chance in a happy corner of the garden, flourish, in^ 
" crease, and bear fruit of themselves, without the 
" gardener's giving himself the trouble of watering 
** or taking care of them. But it is now given up 
" to the Spaniards, and the English have entirely 
" abandoned these parts." * The occupation of 
this territory by the Spaniards, was however of 

* Jeifery's West India Atlas, p. 11. 
B 



12 

§hort duration ; for having quarreled with the Mos- 
qtiito people, the fort at Black River v^as attacked 
hy the Indians, under the command of one of their 
most distinguished chiefs, General Robinson, and ta- 
ken by escalade. The Spaniards however effected 
a retreat, and since that time have never attempted 
to make any other establishments. 

Black River Lagoon^ is of considerable extent, 
being calculated at eight miles broad and fourteen 
ifi length ; it is beautifully spotted with several 
sniall islets, on one of which, v/hen in possession ' of 
the British, was occupied for raising stock. 

Plantain River, is about thirty miles to the east- 
ward of Black River ; it has a large mouth, with 
four fathoms water, a short distance from the coast; 
its sources are about eighty miles in the interior of 
the eountry ; on its left bank, and near the mouth, 
are some fine savannahs, where the Indian chief, 
Generd Robinson, has a large herd of cattle. 

Bf ewers Lagoon, is fifteen miles farther on ; it has 
a wide mouth, with anchorage off the entrance 
from twelve to eight fathoms water. This Lagoon is 
about nine miles broad, and runs nearly fifteen into 
the interior of the country. In the middle of the 
haVen, about a league up, is an island, that appears 
like two hills, whereon some English people for- 
merly resided, and probably had a batteryj as there 
are two old guns laying there to this day. 

Puttuch, or Patook River, is of considerable 



18 

size, and has several smaller rivers that empty them- 
selves into it, the chief of which is the Rio Barbo : 
these streams have their sources in the ridgeof moun- 
tains, which form a barrier to the left bank of the great 
river Yare ; the extent of the Patook and its tri- 
butary streams, is upwards of one hundred miles. It 
has two mouths, one of which empties itself into Bre^ 
wers lagoon . On the easternmost bank of the Patook is 
Patook Point, from which a sand baAk, with a sharp 
point, extends for a mile and a half into the sea ; and 
which vessels ought to give a good birth to, approach- 
ing no nearer than nine fathoms water. Two or three 
years ago, in the time of the heavy rains 9,nd freshes, 
the waters of the river cleared away the bar, leaving a 
depth of about three fathoms, which is a proof of 
the facility, with which the ba7' rivers on the north 
coast might be cleared and deepened 5 it has been 
gradually filling up ever since. 

Little Patook River, is about fifteen miles fur- 
ther to the east of Great Patook River, and rises 
about thirty five miles in the interior. There is a kay, 
or small island, laying between the two rivejrs, 

Caractasco Lagoon, called by the Spaniards 
Bahia de Cart ago, lies about 17 leagues from Great 
Patook river. This place is easily known ; for, as the 
mouth is very wide, the opening may always be seen 

It is shallow, has a bar, and is only navigable for 
small vessels, and is considered by the natives a 
day's journey in length ; its breadth, which is nearly 
equal throughout, may be computed at ten miles. 



14 

Captain Henderson, who visited this lagoon in 
the month of September 1804, says, " We pas- 
■ * sed the bar in a short time, and entered th^ 
** Lagoon of Caratasco, and had to beat up the re^ 
** mainder of our voyage, a distance of about two 
** leagues, in a course directly contrary to the one 
** We had pursued previous to entering it. It was 
^* almost the same as going back by the same sea, 
^* the space of land dividing the navigation we had 
■* left from that we were in, not being more than 
** a few hundred yards. We came to an anchor off 
** the settlement of Grata at five. The Mosquito 
'* Indians have other settlements on both sides of 
" the sound....... Caratasca Lagoon is considered by 

'* the natives a day's journey in length : its breadth, 
** which is nearly equal throughout, may be com- 
^' puted at about ten miles ; it is shallow, and only 
^* navigable for vessels of small burden. On landing, 
" I was immediately received by Captain Potts, a 
^' man of some consequence in the settlement or 
*' Crata, with most expressive marks of friendship 
^* and regard, and conducted by him to his habi- 
** tation. The whole of the inhabitants of the 
** Settlement soon crowded round me, and from all 
•* I could discover the same signs of welcome. An 
^^ excellent supper of fowls, eggs, plantains, and 
^* the root of the Casava, was expeditiously pre- 
^* pared, and I do not recollect that I ever made 
^* a nieal with more entire enjoyment. I passed the 



15 

' night with my Indian friends. Captain Potts 
*' appeared about sixty years of age-, and a more 
" kind, aimable being I never met. His atten- 
** tions and hospitality were unceasing. He had 
** three wives ; the elder seemed of the same years 
" with himself; the youngest certainly not more 
** than sixteen ; the other might be taken at the 
" medium age of both. 

**^ Saturday, 5th. — As soon as I had breakfasted, 
" I was informed that a house had been prepared for 
** me to occupy during my stay. Few houses, I be- 
*' lieve, had ever been raised with more expedition. 
" It was begun and finished in one night ; and al- 
" though not after any known design of architecture, 
** it was comfortable and commodious, sufficiently 
^' proof against the weather, and affording every 
" requisite convenience for myself and servants. Of 
" the latter I never stood in less need, for the 
" unremitted assiduity of the people of the country 
"to be useful to me, would scarcely allow of their 
" interference in any thing. In the course of the 
** day, numbers that I had not seen on my arrival, 
" living contiguous to Crata, came and paid their 
" respects, bringing presents of hogs, poultry, 8cc. 
" &c. I invited three of the principal men to dine 
*' with me. After our meal was concluded, I gave 
" several toasts expressive of regard for their na- 
♦' tion, and for perpetuating a good understanding 
** between it and my own } all of which they per- 



16 

" fectl/ understood, and received with high marks of 
** approbation. 

" Sunday, 6th. — The principal Mosquito chiefs 
" not arriving as I expected, in the forenoon I dis- 
** patched other messengers to hasten them. Dur- 
" ing the remainder of the day, I amused myself 
" v^ith short rambles round the settlements of Grata, 
" and was much delighted with the simple and rural 
•* appearance of the Indian dwellings, and the very 
** pleasing scenery which every where presented 
•* itself. I eagerly wished for the tasteful pencil 
** of a Gilpin to delineate some of the many agree- 
" able subjects before me ; for, without the language 
" of affectation, most of them w^ere worthy of it. 

" Wednesday, 9th. — As it might be expected, my 
" appointment of yesterday produced an early as- 
** semblage of the men of Caratasca Sound this 
" forenoon. Immediately after their arrival, I con- 
" eluded my business with them. . . . An ox having 
•* been slaughtered for the occasion, I had as many 
" as my house could contain to dine with me, and 
** every thing passed with entire harmony. I can- 
** not omit remarking, that the greater part of my 
*' guests, if not tastefully or fashionably dressed, 
** were at least splendidly and variously so. I really 
" believe the entire costume of Europe, civil and 
** military, for the last hundred years, might at one 
" view have presented itself at my table. And 
" whatever was once thought gay and ornamental in 



17 

" the brilliant and refined circles of London and 
" Versailles, might perhaps be now considered equally 
" soonthelesspolishedshoreofCaratasca. Ithad often 
" been matter of surprise with me, to what earthly 
" mart the venders of cast ofFgaieties in London could 
" consign the odd articles frequently decorating their 
" doors ; this astonishment ceased, the moment my 
** company had collected in the Mosquito nation. 

" Monday, 14th. — Early this morning General 
" Robinson came on board our vessel, and shortly 
" afterwards I accompanied him on shore. Whilst 
" the matters I had to take with me were collecting, 
" I amused myself with a walk of about a mile 
" through a spacious savannah, and the scenery on 
" this side the Lagoon certainly greatly surpassed that 
" we had left on the other. This savannah for a very 
" considerable extent, formed an entire level of con» 
** tinued verdure, and of the finest pasturage; skirted 
" on one side of the water of the Lagoon, and bounded 
" on the other by gentle rising hills. The clumps 
" of pine and other lofty trees, interspersed at pleas- 
" ing distances over the whole, gave the view all 
** the appearance of cultivated art, and afforded a 
" most agreeable relief to the eye. At the foot of 
** the hills, the wood in places thickening, almost 
" deluded the imagination to conceive, that in the 
^* bosom of these sequestered groves might be found 
^* the ornamental dwelling of some tasteful owner. 



" But awaking from this, here all was Nature *." 

I must now leave the friendly Indians, and con- 
tinue the description of the coast, which from Cara- 
tasca Lagoon, inclines to the south-east. 

Croah or Crotch River, is a small stream, which 
empties itself into a little bay, a short distance 
before reaching the False Cape. It has from nine 
to eleven feet water over its bar. 

False Cape, is about 14 leagues from the en- 
trance of Caratasca Lagoon ; it has a shoal called 
Cape Bank laying off it^ that lies to the northward. 
There is tolerable anchorage under the lee of the 
cape, after getting round the sand bank. 

Little Black River, lays about half way between 
the False Cape, and Cape Gracias a Dios; its course 
is about forty miles, and about twelve miles from its 
mouth, is the settlement of Tohuncana, 

Cape Gracias a Dios, this celebrated cape lays 
in about 15^ north latitude. The harbour is formed 
by an arm of the sea, large enough to hold the navy 
of Great Britain, and open only from £. by S. to 
S.S.W. from which points the wind seldom blows 
there f . Captain Wright informs us, that it is a 
noble extensive harbour, where Commodore Parry 
anchored in 1782, with his squadron, consisting 

* An Account of the British Settlement of Honduras, &c, 
by Captain Henderson,, 44th Regiment, 1811, p. l73. 

t Edward's Account of the British Settlements ontheMos* 
quito Shore, in Vol. 5, app. p, 209, 



19 

of a fifty gitn ship^ and some heavy frigates ^ this 
bay is open to no winds but a south-east ; the Cape 
Keys, off this place, abound with turtle all the year 
round =^. The depths in the bay are from 6 to 2i 
fathoms,, and this is a safe and convenient place 
of shelter during the north winds. When off the 
pitch of the Main Cape, you will see the lanef 
tending nearly north and south. The oape ends in 
a low sandy point, tending to the southy/ard : some 
old trees are frequently drifting out of the river. 
The water shoalens a good way off,, till you double 
the pitch of it, then you may borrow as close as 
you please, into %, 8, 4, and 5 fathoms, soft ground. 
Do not proceed higher up in the bay than in 3 
or 4 fathoms ; although it is all clear ground, and 
sheltered from all winds f . 

On entering the Bay, a small village presents it- 
self on the larboard side; here the King of the 
Mosquito Nation usually resides ; there are also 
some settlers here, and an American and an Irish 
Gentlerpan, have both established a store for the sale 
of goods, which are chiefly obtained from Jamai- 
ca. " It is one of the most healthy and beautiful 
" spots in the v/orld : the Europeans do not suffer 
" by any of those disorders so dangerous in the West 

* Wright's Memoir of the Mosquito Territory, p; l7. 
t Columbian Navigator, art. Mosquitia, p. 32. 

c 



20 

" Indies, aiid live here to a very old age. *" Before 
the evacuation of it by the British in 1787, there 
were near thirty English families, with about one 
hundred negro slaves, who had begun planta- 
tions of sugar on the lands given them by the 
Mosquitos f . The inhabitants live on the edge of 
a very large savannah, perpetually covered with 
the most fattening pasturage, and bounding on 
the river Wanks. 

WankSy or Great Cape River, called also Van- 
keSi YUrei Yowra, and Golden Biver^^ovx thQ 
grains of that metal being found in its sands : it arises 
very near the South Sea, and after successively passing 
the Spaniards, Indians friendly to the Spaniards, Indi- 
ans friendly to us, and Mosquito Indians, rolls over a 
shallow bar into the sea at Cape Gracias a Dios if. 
In the time of the English, they cut a canal from 
the bay through to the river, from which it is sepa- 
rated only a few hundred yards ; it is now filling 
up, but canoes are still able to pass, and orders have 
lately been given to have it properly cleared,) mm% 

3Jhe strength of current, and various course of 
this fiver, 'and many other obstructions to mea- 
surement of distance, make it very difficult to as- 
certain the breadth of the continent ; but mules 



* Introduction to Jeffrey's West India Atlas, p. 1 1. t Ibid. 

X Edward's account of the Bj^itish.settleni^i^^^qij/tJjp^i^ft^ 

quito shore, p. 20a i>()o ^ j^^j^ig ^,j 



21 

have been brought down to the Gape, from a place 
supposed to be considerably more than a hundred 
leagues up the river, from whence it is said to be 
only two days ride through the woods to the Spanish 
city of Leon *. The whole length of the river xmf 
be safely stated at upwards of 300 miles. 

In the months of February and March 1688, a 
party of the Buccaniers, who had been cruizing in the 
South Sea, passed from the Bay of Amalapa to the 
town of New Segovia, and from thence^ after tra- 
versing the woods for a short distance, they em- 
barked upon the river and arrived at Cape Graci^ 
as a Dios. The town of New Segovia ** lies in a hoU 
" torn, and is so surrounded with mountains, thatshe 
" looksas if she were laid up in a prison^ the churches 
" here are but very indifferently built, and the placS" 
" of arms is both ver}'' considerable and very fine^^ 
•* it is an inland place, forty leagues off from th(^^ 
" South Sea. The way that leads to it, from the place - 
"where we were, is very difficult, being all mouii*' 
" tains of a prodigious height, to the tops whereof ' 
"we must creep with great danger ; and the val- 
" leys, consequently, are so very narrow here, that 
"for a league of even ground you pass over, you 
"have six leagues of mountains to go. When we ' 
" had passed these mountains, we felt a very sharp 

— — ■ ■-•-'■''■ '■'■'■' < -^ --■ [ 

4 

* Edward's account of the British Settlements on tliViib^ 
quito shore, p. 20p. 



22 

*' cold, and 'weve taken with bo thick a fog, that even 
** when day appeared, we could not know one ano^ 
** ther, no otherwise than by our voices ; but that 
" only lasted till ten in the morning, when the 
*-* weather cleared iip, and the fog went entirely off; 
** and the heat which succeeds the cold, becomes 
" there very great, as well as in the plains, where 
*^ ^one of this eold is felt, till you come to the foot 
'^ of the mountains. — On the 16th, we lay at another 
" (Hatto *) six leagues farther ; and at last on the 
" 17th, which was the sixteenth day since our setting 
" out, we came to the so much desired river, and 
"presently entered into the woods, that grow upon 
" the banks thereof, where every one fell to work, 
" in good earnest, to cut down trees to build pipe- 
" ries, ^?\?herein we might go down the same f ." 

TJfppn their first setting out, they found the 
river to run for a " long way in a most rapid man- 
*' ner, interrupted by vast numbers of rocks, of a 
" prodigious bigness. On the 20th of February," 
our author gays., " we found the river larger, and 
" more spacious than before, and met with no 
*^ more Ms. therein ; but the same was so incum- 
" bered with trees and bamboos, which the flood 
" earried thither, that our wretched machines, could 
" m^ "^e kepi ftom. overturning ; at last, when we 



* A Grazing Farm. 

t Hist, of the Buccaniers of America, p. 170, London lOOQ^ 



" were got down some leagues farther, we found the 
" river very good, the stream very gentle, and no 
** likelihood of pur meeting any more rocks nor 
*^ trees, though we had still above sixty leagues to 
'• the sea side. Though this river we are now leav- 
** ing, is by some Spanish maps made to run direct- 
'* ly fourscore leagues, and then to fall into the 
*^ North Sea, yet we have computed the same to 
" run above three hundred, being almost always 
'* carried to the south-east for to go to the north *." 
The Yare, or upper part of the river, as we have 
seen above, is full of falls, and there is a considera- 
ble one, and the last, just below the Jdrks, in about 
latitude 14^ 20' N. and about fifty miles above the 
Indian town, called Secklong, which latter is by the 
course of the river distant about 150 miles from the 
mouth of Cape Kiver, thus making the river navi- 
gable for small craft for about 200 miles ; the direct 
distance from the great falls, by land, to the Upper 
Embarcadero on the Black River, is about 70 miles, 
but a branch of the river Yare rises within nine 
miles of Popyas River, which falls into the Rio 
Tin to, separated however by a ridge of hills, but of 
no considerable height. 

Warner's Sound, called also Wana Sound, is a 
short distance to the southward of the Cape, is of 
small extent, and has a bar at its mouth. 

*' J^ist. of the i3ucca»iers of Ameriea, London, l69^. 



Sintipoco River, is a few miles,; fiji^tiier, and rung 
out of a small lagoon. ] At U-^ 

Sandy Bay, is nearly 10 leagues from Cape 
Gracias a Dios. You may come to an anchor in 
this bay in as deep or as little water as you chcx)se; 
In 6 or 7 fathoms there is good muddy ground, and 
fit for ships. In from 5 fathoms, or less, is sandy 
ground, fit for smaller vessels. At the head of the 
bay, and about twenty five miles from its entrance^ 
is the chief Indian town, and where the King fre- 
quently resides ; this town is situated upon the river 
Coree, which runs for about ninety miles up into, 
the country. The English formerly had settlements 
between this bay andDucana lagoon. 

Governor's Point, forms the southern point pf 
the outlet from Ducana lagoon, and here commence 
the territork;?, pf tte,Iji!|^r,0u^4 s|y}ed -the.JSOf, 

Stony Island, lays nearly opposite to the aboy^ ; 
^ little to the southward, and distant from the main 
land about twelve miles ; it is a rock, and appears 
above water to the height of a ship's hull, and quite.< 
black. It lies E. S. E. from Sandy Bay, at the dis- 
tance of about 4 or 5 leagues. You may approach 
to the distance of a mile from Stony Isl^ndj ^gind j 
have 6 fathoms, bottom of white sand. ; ;y;,vvr .. ; v 

Hoiisetana CreeJc, is about nine miles to the 
southward of Governor's Point, and about thirteen 
miles further south, i^ Hmsetana -R^'i^r, which _ 



25 

iiows oiit of Para Lagoon- The coast from Go- 
vernor's Point to the northern entrance of this ri- 
ver, is called Playa Blanca, 

Wankssa, called by the English Devils Key, lays 
at the distance of about three leagues south from 
Stone Island, and fourteen miles from the main 
land. It is a small islet covered with trees. 

BrangmarCs Blvff^ called by the Spaniards 
Monte Gordo y is composed of the highest sandy 
hills on the coast to the southward of Cape Gracias 
a Dios. It has three or four whitish hills, which 
are very remarkable, and is also covered with tall 
trees. There is anchorage close in shore, under the 
high land. 

Ville Coose River ^ rises upwards of one hundred 
and fifty miles in the interior, and empties itself by 
two mouths, the northernmost into Para Lagoon, 
and the southernmost by what is called the River 
Vava into Wava Lagoon. The Towkcas Nation 
live on its head waterr. 

Wava Lagoon, lies a little to the southward of 
Brangman's Bluff; its mouth is of no great extent, 
and is situated a few miles inland, communicating 
with the sea by means of two rivers, one of which 
is of the same name. 

Tongulaw Lagoon, is about fourteen miles to 
the southward of Wava River, it is also of small 
extent, an island lays inside of it, near its mouth ; 
the Fox's Reef, lays at the distance of three miles, 



2& 

and across the whole lengths of its mouth, and be- 
tween the reef and the sotithemmas't entrance of the 
lagoon, there is anchorage in B fathomsv 

Prince Fulko River, is of considerable extent, 
and empties itself into the sea by four principal 
mouths, which form several islands ; the northerft* 
most is. called Walpo Six\ and its southernmost 
branch is called Great Snook Creek. 

Little Snook Cr eek, is ?i small river, and dividing 
itself into two branchesy forms a considerable island 
at its mouth. 

Great River, called in some maps and chatts, Mi0 
Grande, vises about 180 miles in the interior, andiii 
its course several small streams fall into it; thii 
river empties itself into the sea, a few miks below 
Little Snook Creek ; which with it,- form^ at its 
mouth, a considefable island ; it has a considerabl^f 
depth of water at its mouth, and there are several 
Indian settlements on its banks. 

Alligator Creek, is a small arm of the sea, andJ 
runs about twelve miles up into the country, ending 
in a salt pond, or lagoon. From hence to Pearl 
Key Lagoon, a great number of islets and shoab 
lay all along the coast, which makes the navigation 
intricate for a stranger, and a pilot ought to be pro- 
cured, before attempting it. The principal of these 
are the Moskito Keys, King's Keys, Long Reefy 
Ashin's Key, Pearl Keys, Water Keys, Hobble's 



27 

Keys^ Freiichman's, Bill Birds Keys, Parrots 
Key, Maroonds Key, ^c. 

Pearl Key Lagoon, the entrance lies in about 
12^ N. and has a bar, with only nine feet water 
on it. It is distant about fifteen leagues from 
Cape Gracias a Dios. Captain Wright says, it has 
some small keys all round and lying off it, which 
forms good anchorage ^. It takes its name on ac> 
count of the pearl oysters which are plenty about itf . 
This lake is of considerable magnitude, being from 
two to three miles broad at its entrance, about 
twenty miles in length, and frorn eight to eleven 
miles in breadth. It contains five islands, some of 
them two miles in length. There are four rivers of 
some magnitude that empty themselves into it. 
The entrance, however, has a shallow bar, but 
there is good anchorage under the lee of the north 
point in three fathoms water. In the time of the 
English, there were a great many settlers at this 
place, attracted by the fertility of the soil \ there 
are still a few here, who cultivate principally cotton 
and sugar ; one of them, a French gentleman, has a 
considerable sugar plantation, and has lately com-^ 
menced the distillation of rum. 

Bluefield's Lagoon, is said to be called after a 
famous Jamaica buccanier of that name, it is some- 



* Wright's Memoir, p. l7. 
t Introduction to the West India Atlas, p* 11. 

D 



28 

times also denominated Hone Sound, This La- 
goon, properly speaking, is composed of an Upper 
and Lower, and is separated in one part from Pearl 
Key Lagoon by a narrow isthmus of two miles in 
breadth. An island, called Hone Key, and about 
eight miles long, divides the mouth into two en- 
trances ; the southernmost entrance has a bad bar 
and very shallow, but the northernmost has sixteen 
feet water over it at high water ; when inside, it 
forms a noble bason, capable of holding a thousand 
sail of shipping ** The Bluff, an extensive rocky 
eminence, of very easy defence, has naturally almost 
every requisite for a town, and presents so bold 
a bank to the harbour, that vessels of any bur- 
den may lie close to it when they load f . This 
high eminence has a flat at top of about L500 acres, 
on which one cannot land but by two places easy 
to guard ; it is joined to the continent on the north 
part hy a low isthmus, sandy on the sides, and fen- 
ny, with mangrove trees in the middle. There is 
the iliost grand and extensive prospect of the sea 
and land to the south from the top of this emi- 
nence X' As Bluefields Bluff fully commands the 
entrance of the harbour, a small force stationed 
there, wouM keep off, effectually, a great and nu- 

* Wright's Memoir, p. l7- 

t Edward's Account of the British Settlements on the Mo3« 
quite Shore. App. vol, 5th, p. 209. 

% Introd. to JeiFery's West India Atlas, p. 11. 



29 

merous enemy *, It would be easy to fortify this 
Bluff, for stone is found near it in abundance, and 
the oyster shells would afford all the lime necessary f. 
The Lower Lagoon is about 20 miles in length, 
and from 5 to 6 in breadth. The Upper Lagoon 
is a continuation of the Lower, and runs about N. 
N. E. at its entrance ; it is little more than one mile 
broad, but encreases as you ascend, and in one place 
is 6 1 miles broad ; its length may be estimated at 
twenty three miles. " Several noble rivers, after 
" having v/atered some of the richest land, perhaps, 
" in the world, empty themselves in the vast lagoon 
" of which this harbour is part J." The depth of 
water in the harbour is from three fathom to three 
fathoms and a half. The neighbouring land is 
fertile, and its climate very healthy il the banks of 
its principal river are covered with cedars, large 
mahogany trees, and plenty of other trees good for 
building either houses or ships §. In the time of 
the English, they had many settlements about the 
Lagoon, and carried on an extensive trade with the 
interior of the country. 

Bluefields River^ called by the Spaniards Rio 
Escondido, and Rio de Neuva Segovia, rises in the 



* Wright's Memoir, p. 1 9. 
t Introd. to West India Atlas, p. 11. 
:j: Edward's Account of the British Settlements on the &los-« 
quito Shore. App. vol. 5th, p. 209. 
§ InUod. to West India Alia?, p. 11. 



80 

teantaiiis of the Province of Nicaragua, one of its 
sources being near the town of Corpus Christi, and 
its other principal source rises in the mountainji near 
the town of Neuva Segovia, by which it passes ; 
it has a course of upwards of three hundred miles, 
and in its passage receives the waters of several tri- 
btitary rivers, emptying itself into Bluefields Upper 
Lagoon ; it is navigable for vessels of one hundred 
tons burthen for 6Q miles, and canoes and other 
small craft may ascend it, nearly to its sources. 
The Cockoracks Indians reside about one hundred and 
thirty miles from its mouth ; they are denominated 
wild and tame, in order to distinguish the civilized 
from the uncivilized "* ; a tribe of the latter, toge- 
^ tiier with the Woolvas, have settlements within 15 
miles of its mouth. 

Monkey Point, lies about ten miles to the south- 
ward of Bluefields Lagoon. 

Varin Key River ; the principal mouth of this 
river is about eleven miles south of Monkey Point ; 
it has another mouth which empties itself into Blue- 
fields Lagoon. The course of this river is about for- 
ty-five miles. Varin Key, lays a short distance 
oflf it; and between Monkey Point and its 
mouth, at the distance of eight miles from the con- 
tinent, is French Key, a small round islet. 

Rio de Punta Gorda, has a course of about seven- 
ty miles, and passing between two ridges of moun- 

* V\Tight's Memoir, p. 25. 



31 

tains empties itself into the sea, to the northward 
of Punta Gorda ; it has three islands laying off it, 
called the Three Brothers : the tribe called the 
llamas, have two settlements upon this river, near 
its mouth, the uppermost of which is called Tigu- 
zigalpas. 

Grindstone Bay, lays between Punta Gorda, and 
Corn River ; there is anchorage for vessels here in 
from 4 to 10 fathoms water; a short way in the in- 
terior, the country rises into high and elevated hills. 

Corn River, has a course of only about forty or 
fifty miles, its sources are at the foot of the high 
lands of the interior, and its mouth, which is wide, 
is easily distinguished. 

Indian River, has a course of about fifty miles, 
and rises in a high ridge of mountains in the interior ; 
it communicates with the river San Juan by two 
branches, the one called the river Camhitto, and the 
other the Rio Bocades ; a few miles further south 
is the river Trigo or Trigu, which also runs out of 
"Ithe great river San Juan's. The Ramas occupy the 
country, from Bluefields to San Juan's, and at va- 
rious periods of the year, carry on a considerable 
traffic with the Spaniards. 

Rio de San Juan, is considered by geographers 
as the southern extremity of the Mosquito Shore ; 
nevertheless, the king of the Mosquito nation, whose 
country it originally was, claims all the eastern part 
of the province of Nicaragua, as far as Rio de Oro, 



S2 

in the province of Veragua. The river issues out of 
a lake of the same name, and falls by three mouths 
or channels into the sea or bay of Guatimala. Its 
current is so strong, that the flat-bottomed boats 
and canoes, which navigate it, are about nine days 
in ascending, and but thirty- six hours in descend- 
ing, to and from the lake *. This river is more 
than thirty-six leagues long. Several rapids ren- 
der its navigation difficult, and the Indians are the 
only ones who know how to get over these obsta- 
cles f . Bryan Edwards, the elegant historian of the 
British V^T'est Indies, however says, " I have been as- 
" sured, if I am not greatly deceived in my recoUec- 
" tion, that a vessel of thirty tons has sailed up to the 
" entrance of this lake, which very vessel afterwards 
*' made a voyage to Jamaica. J" About the latter 
end of the dry season, or middle of March, the river 
is so full of shoals as to render the passage very dif- 
ficult ^ ; and the entrance into the river from the 
harbour of St John's, is somewhat obstructed by a 
bar, on v/hich there are only five feet water. About 
sixteen years ago, an enterprising Englishman, who 
casually visited the river, examined the different 
passages over the bar, and discovered one, which al- 



* Columbian Navigator^ p. 22. 
t Introduction to Jeffrey's West India Atlas^ p. 11. 
X Edward's Account of the British Settlements on the Mos- 
quito Shore, Vol. 5. p. 213. 
§ Columbian Navigator, p. 2^. 



though narrow, would admit a vessel drawing twen- 
ty-Jive feet *. The harbour above-mentioned, called 
St John's, is very capable of containing from ten to 
fifteen ships of war, with shallow water births, of 
about three fathoms ; and there is room enough for 
one hundred sail of transports besides, which will 
be perfectly secure from the north and south winds, 
the only dangerous winds on the coast f. 

The Lake of Nicaragua^ from which the river 
Hows, is about 170 British miles in length, and a- 
bout half that breadth. This grand lake is situated 
in the province of the same name, and according to 
Alcedo is navigable for ships of the line. " In the 
" hands of an enterprising people, this lake would 
" supply the long wished for passage from the At- 
" lantic into the Pacific, and in the most direct 
" course that could be desired* Nature has al- 
" ready supplied half the means, and it is probable 
" that a complete passage might have been opened, 
*' at half the expence wasted in fruitless expeditions 
" to discover such a passage by the north-w^est or the 
" north-east J4" At the western extremity of the great 
lagoon, is a river which communicates with the 



♦ Memoirs of the Mexican Revolution, &e* to which are an- 
nexed some observations on the practicability of opening a 
commerce between the F'acific and Atlantic Oceans, &c. by 
William Davis Robinson. Vol. 2d, p. 276. 

t Edward's Account,c. Vol. 5th, Appendix, p. 213. 

i Pinkerton's Geography, 4to. \o\, 2d, p. 357* 



Lake of Lindiri, or Leon, distant about eight 
leagues. The distance from the Lake of Leon to 
the ocean is about thirteen miles ; and from Nica- 
ragua to the Gulf of Fapagayo in the Pacific Ocean, 
is twenty-one miles *. "The ground between the 
" two lakes and the sea is a dead level f ." 

Pinkerton says, " On the other side the space to 
" be cut, according to the best and most recent 
" maps, would not exceed ten or twelve English 
" miles, and might cost to open a grand navigation, 
" about two hundred thousand pounds sterling J. " 

I have been the more particular in mentioning 
this idea of a canal between the two seas, as the 
Mosquitos, whose country it originally was, enjoy 
still all the eastern part ; and the province of Nica- 
ragua, with the exception of the castle of Neuestra 
Senora, on the river San Juan, 15 inhabited by the 
Spaniards, only towards the South Sea §, and in the 
immediate vicinity of the great lake. 

Rio Colorado f rises in the mountains of the in- 
terior, and in its course to the sea, which is about 
forty-five miles, several small streams empty them- 
selves into it. This river, according to the Spaniards, 
forms the boundary line between the provinces of 

♦ Ptobinson's Memoirs of the Mexican Revolution, vol. 2ct, 
p. 278. 
t Ibid. 

X Pinkerton's Geography, vol. 2d, p. 35^. 
J Introduction to the West India Alias, p. 11. 



B5 

Nicai^agua and Costa Rica. To the southward of 
this is an inlet called the Boca de la Tortuga, in- 
to which a small river of the same name discharges 
itself. 

Rio de los Anzuelos, and Rio Vasquez^ are two 
small rivers both laying to the southward bf Boca 
de la Tortuga. 

Port of Cartago, is at the mouth of the Rio 
Matina, which the Buccaniers have named Car- 
penters River ; it is one of the grand rendezvous of 
the European contraband traders *. This river has 
a course of about sixty miles, and about thirty-five 
miles from its mouth, it is joined by another at a 
place where the Spaniards have a fort called Castil' 
lo de Austria ; there is a road from thence for about 
eight leagues to the Enibarcadero, or landing place, 
which is only seven or eight miles distant from the 
port. 

From Carpenters Kiver to Punta CJiica, or 3Ion- 
key Point, the coast is inhabited by the race of 
Indians called Talamancas. The following arc 
the capes or headlands, and also the rivers that run 
through this territory, emptying themselves into the 
sea, or Bay of Guatemala, as it is by some geogra- 
phers designated Rio f de Suerre, the harbour, called 
€lPortete,Rio Salado, ^^oxto^ Cuernavaca, Rio San 
Antonio J Punta Blanca, Rio de Bananas, Rio de 

* Introduction to the West India Atlas, p. 12. 
t The Spanish name for River. 

E- 



■■j:\/.i/A<'jj' 



m 

Dios, Rio delos D(yraces, Punta Canetn^ Rio Quc^ 
madOf and Rio de Culehras ; this latter is es teeme d b j 
the Spaniards the boundary between the provinces 
of Costa Rica and Veragua, 

Punta ChicUy or Monkey Point ^ is the first headr 
land in the province of Veragua, and after that fol- 
lows Punta Gorda de Tirhi, 

Lagoon of Chiriqui, and Bahia del Almirante, 
is an immense piece of water; it has excellent an- 
chorage : several islands extend themselves across its 
mouth from Punta Gorda de Tirbi, to Punta de 
Valencia, vulgarly called Valenty Point The Boca 
del TorOy is one of the principal entrances to the 
Lagoon of Chiriqui. It is 44 leagues from Porta 
Bello, and leads on the west to the Bahia del Al- 
mirante, or Port of Boca Toro ; and on the east, or 
rather south, to Chiriqui Lagoon. The mouth to the 
West is called Boca del Drago, or Dragons mouth. 
In the harbour there is safe anchorage and good 
shelter for ships ; and under the little islands in the 
vicinity, smaller vessels may ride securely during 
violent winds. This place was often resorted to by 
the Buccaniers, and here they victualled and refit- 
ted their fleet, consisting of nine vessels, for a South 
Sea expedition *. 

Bryan Edwards says, " but the finest harbour in 
** all the continent, from Honduras to Porto Bello, 

* Coliimbian Navigator, p, 2t- 



37 

" is undoubtedlj the Boca del Toro, a place not 
" only capable of containing the whole navy of 
" Great Britain, with good anchorage throughout, 
" but which has within it many excellent harbours, 
" sheltered from the wind at every point of the com- 
" pass ; it commands a tract of country one hundred 
" miles in extent, and joins a lagoon, called the 
" Chiriqui Lagoon. The rivers that empty them- 
" selves into the lagoon are indeed little known to any 
** people, except our Mosquito Indians, who say they 
** have traced some of them quite back to the Spa- 
" nish settlements. They aver, that there is a la- 
** goon on the South Sea coast, right opposite to the 
" Chiriqui lagoon, and that these lagoons have a 
" commvinication with each other, by means of some 
" of the rivers above-mentioned : certain it is, that 
" from a hill on the interior banks of the Chiriqui 
" Lagoon, there is a spacious prospect of both seas. 
'* The navigation into the harbour we are now speak- 
" ing of, will be attended with no kind of difficulty 
" to ships of the largest tonnage, the smallest depth 
**' being five fathoms *". Mr Jefferys says, *' The In- 
^* dians who inhabit the country ground these 
** bays are very fierce; and, as the Spaniards could 
** never conquer them, they called them Iridios 
•* Bravos, or Wild Indians. These people have 

* Edward's Account of the Britiih Settlements on the Mos« 
quito Shore. Vol. 5th, p. 2 IS. 

E3 



as 

*^ often shewn an inclination to trade with the En- 
" glish ; but the Mosquitos, (to the northward,) 
" being jealous, it has been thought more prudent 
" to decline it, though a settlement erected here, 
" with a fort, might be attended with a very lucra- 
" tivc trade to the British nation. Near this coast 
•* is found a small shell fish, which affords the true 
" Tjrian dye. The country is very fruitful, and 
" produces great plenty of mango, equal to that of 
*• the East Indies, with several sorts of spices, includ- 
** ing the wild nutmeg, many of which were 
" brought by the French, who once had a design of 
" settling here * ." There are at present about sixty 
persons, chiefly English from Jamaica, settled here, 
and the Indians of the whole of the district of 
Chiriqui, recognise George Frederic, king of the 
Mosquito nation, as their sovereign, and pay him an 
annual tribute. 

There is a kay on the north point of the Boca 
del Toro, with cocoa nut trees on it ; which shews 
itself like a snow under sail. When you get this 
kay in sight, bearing from S. by E. to S. S.W. you 
must haul off; for there is very foul ground, which 
lays for at least 3 leagues from the kay f . 

* JefFerys. 

t The West India Pibt; p. 23> 



ISLANDS. 

Euatafi, vulgarly called Rattan, is about thirty 
miles in length, and varies from five, to seven, and 
eight miles in breadth ; it lies nearly E. and 
W. and the east end of it bears N.W. by W. 
distance 14 leagues from Cape Honduras, and 11 
from Truxillo, and lays 444 miles W. S.W. from 
Jamaica. It is estimated to contain about 250,000 
acres ; the climate is very healthy, the land in the 
vallies rich and fertile. Here are great quantities 
of cocoa nuts, wild figs, and excellent grapes*. 
The forests produce white oaks, and pine trees fit 
for masts for merchant ships f . It abounds with 
deer, wild hogs, Indian rabbits, and birds of many 
species ; parrots are innumerable, and their inces- 
sant noise may be heard at a considerable distance 
from the shore :[:. Its soil, and the natural advan- 
tages connected with it, might perhaps in no de- 
gree be found inferior to many of the West India 
islands which are cultivated, and it is considerably 
larger than many of them § . A constant breeze from 
the E. cools and tempers the air, and it abounds 



* JefFery'fl West India Atlas, p. 17. 
f Maltham'3 Naval Gazetteer, Vol. 2(1, 
X Henderson's Honduras, p. l6S^ 
§ Ibid. p. 168. 



4€ 

with excellent water *. At its west end arc geveral 
line meadows of many hundred acres, where the 
Jamaica planters formerly used to breed mules. 

.The north coast is defended by a continued reef 
of rocks, between which are very few passages even 
for small vessels. The south side of Ruatan has se- 
veral good harbours : the principal, named by the 
English New Port Royal, and where they began 
their settlement, " is a very fine harbour, and ca- 
** pable of being made impregnable ; the sea breeze, 
** meeting no obstruction, blows quite through, and 
" renders the place extremely healthy ; the air is 
^* cooler, and more temperate than most parts of the 
" West Indies f ." 

This harbour is naturally guarded by rocks and 
^ shoals, and has an entrance so small as only to ad- 
mit one ship at a time f . It is formed, on the south, 
by several islets and shoals, which form two entran- 
ces. The largest of these is called George's Isk; 
and the best channel is at the west end of it. At 
the N.E. end of the harbour there is a small kay, 
cdXltdi Careening Kay, where vessels may be cleaned 
and repaired. This is the best anchorage for vessels 
that come in to stay for any considerable time §. 



* Maltbam*s Naval Gazettter. Vol. 2d, 
t West India Pilot, 1766. 
it. JefFery's West India Atlas, p. 17. 
§ Columbian Navigator, p. 38. 



41 

" In Port Royal Harbour, British sliips formerly 
" obtained wood ; and they procured water from 
•* a rivulet in the N.W. part of the harbour. The 
'* harbour is capacious enough to contain 20 or 25 
** sail of the line. Formerly there were two small 
** batteries here ; one on the west end of George*s. 
'* Isle, and the other on a high point of land on the- 
*- S.W. part of the harbour. The heights of Rua- 
" tan command such an extensive prospect, that na 
" vessels can pass to the Bay of Honduras without- 
" being seen from them *. " 

Within about three leagues of the w^st end of 
the island, and just to leeward of the second point 
on the coast, in running down from Port Royal, is a 
harbour called Dixon's Cove, very convenient in 
north winds for ships to shelter in that are bound 
to the Bay of Honduras. The banks on both sides 
of the harbour are very steep, 12 to 3 fathoms 
not half a ship's length from the deep water to the 
shoalest. It is best to anchor in the middle of the 
harbour in about 13 or 16 fathoms, clay ground, 
and moor with a kedge to the eastward ; you will 
then be abreast of a creek on the east side of the 
harbour f. This is a fine outlet, as you may be at 
sea in 10 minutes ; and, in case of accidents, a ves- 
sel may be saved here without anchors or cables, 

* Columbian Navigator, p. 38. 

t Earle's Sailing Directions, 1799, p. 29, 



42 



By running up the N.E. part of the harbour, which 
is all soft mud * . 

The English in 1742, took possession of the is- 
land of Ruatan, and built a fort in which they put a 
garrison of 250 men 3 one Pitts, a logwood cutter, 
was its first governor, who never had a successor f. 
*• Our ships, bound from Honduras to Jamaica, 
" touch at Port Royal when they want water or 
** have sprung a leak ; and those which go from Ja- 
" raaicato Honduras, take pilots there for the Bay J," 
This fine island is claimed by H. H. the Gazique 
of Poyais. " The Spaniards have a kind of military 
** station or look-out post on this island ; this, how- 
" ever, may rather be considered as intended to es- 
" tablish their right to it by occupancy than as a 
'* means of defence, as the force does not consist of 
" more than five or six men §." The small islands 
adjoining the east end of Ruatan, named Helena 
Moratte^ and Barbaretta, may be deemed only as 
detached parts of the former ; they are situated on a 
fiat, extending from Ruatan, and are only separated 
from each other by a narrow channel of the sea. 
They are frequented by turtles, and abound in In- 
dian rabbits, an animal something larger than a 

* Earle's Sailing Directions, l799, p. 29. 
t Jeffery's West India Atlas, p. 17. 
i Ibid. p. 17. 
§ Hendersoii'9 Honduras; p. 194* 



43 



hare, the flesh of which is considered very delicate. 
Captain Henderson, on his return from Mosquitia, 
was driven by stress of weather to take shelter un- 
.der Barbaretta, on the beach of which he construct- 
ed a hut, but could not gain the interior without 
great difficulty; the surface though high, being 
nearly covered with impenetrable underwood. "Af- 
" ter a walk of about a mile and a half along the 
" beach, in a contrary course to the one^I had pursued 
" the day before, we came to the rocks, and here, al- 
" though our progress seemed less difficult to the 
" eye, it scarcely presented fewer obstacles to the 
" feet. Difficulties, however, sink before determi- 
" nation. I was resolved to mount, to it therefore 
" I went with hands and knees. After Bome 
"trouble, I gained a firm station on a toier- 
" able eminence : and without resorting to ther 
" extravagant and aflfected language sometimes used 
"on similar occasions, I might truly say, the whole 
" was enchantingly beautiful and picturesque. The 
"spot on which I stood might be connected with a 
" sp^ce of somewhat more than half an acre, en tire- 
" ly clear of trees, growing with a luxuriant grass. 
" Beyond this the whole became a thick continued 
" grove, 

" Where scarce a speck of day, 
" Falls on the lengthened gloom." 

Thomson. 

" At the bottom of the rock, the sea rolled with 
F 



" loud and haughty sway, and the confused mass of 
*' stone which lay scattered about, at once confes- 
" sed its uncontrollable dominion *. " 

Guanqja, vulgarly called Boiiaca, was discover- 
ed by Columbus, and is about 60 miles in circum- 
ference. It lies about the distance of 40 leagues 
W. S.W. from the Swan Islartd, and 20 leagues 
from Black River. " The part of the island we 
" were on was highly romantic and picturesque, 
** and like Ruatan, profusely covered with trees. Its 
" natural productions appeared nearly the same. 
'* The little bay in which we anchored was of great 
" depth, and so transparent that the shell fish and 
" coral rocks at the bottom might be clearly discern- 
** ed f ." This island contains abundance of lime- 
stone ; and lapis calaminaries, an ore of zinc, has 
been discovered here. The land is very high, and 
it can be seen at a great distance off at sea. 

The harbour on the south side is called Half- 
onoon Kay, from a small island of that name and 
shape, close to its entrance ; it is also the largest of 
several, that lay about the entrance, and has cocoa- 
nut trees growing on it. There are several other kays 
inside. To go to the watering place, you must steer 
west from the Half-moon Kay, for the middle, or Tfo- 
larCs Kay, and from thence W. by N. for the kay 



* Henderson's Honduras^ p. 194-. 
t Ibid. p. 176. 



45 

which is nearest the island, and called FrenchmarCs 
Kay. Then run round the north-east side, between 
it and the island, observing to keep close to the 
reef, and to fetch as near as you can to the kay, 
and when it bears East from you, to let go the an- 
chor. " There are several patches of rocks lying 
** to the southward and westward ; but as the water 
" is very clear, those dangers may be avoided *.". 
Between Half-moon Kay, and the S.W. Kay, and 
about mid-channel over to the eastward, lies a very 
dangerous shoal, where there is hardly eight feet 
water in soma places ; the bad effects of which 
were felt by H. B. M. sloop Swift, which struck 
upon it in 1764, and was thereby obliged to throw 
her guns overboard f . " Rattan and Bonaca, for 
" the conveniency of very fine harbours, the good- 
*' ness of the soil, pureness of the air, the great 
" quantity of fish and wild hogs, cocoa-nuts, fine- 
" ness of water and commanding ground; those 
" islands are proverbially called in that country, 
'* ' the Garden of the West Indies ; the Key to 
" Spanish America, New Gibraltar' c^c. : and they 
" of themselves, from their natural strength, might 
" be made impregnable, being tenable with a very 
" small force J. 

* Columbian Navigator^ p. S7. 

t Directions for Sailing to the Moskito Shore, Rattan, and 
Bay of Honduras, &c. by Captain Hester. 
X Wright's Memoir, p. 16, 

'F 9 



46 

Swati Islands, called by the Spaniards Santa- 
nilhis, are two islets, situated about 300 miles from 
the west end of Jarfiaica, and about 90 miles dis- 
tant from Black River. They are surrounded by a 
reef, excepting ot^ thfe S.W. side, where there is an- 
icterage. Considerable quantities of fustic grow 
here, and great numbers of turtle resort to them, to 
lay their ^ggs. Vessels from Jaftiaica, bound to 
the Mosquito Shore and Bay of Honduras, usually 
endeavour to make these islands, from whence they 
take a fresh departure. It is iri contemplation to 
festablish a few fishermen's families on them, for the 
purpose of being able to supply pilots to vessels, 
bound to Black Iliver and Bdize. 

Old Providence, lies in ktitude 13« 26^ N; j fc 
is only tv/o leagues and a half long, and one broad ; 
its most northerly point, called Santa Catilina, is 
separated from it by a narrow channel, on which 
the Buccaniers had built a bridge *. It is nearly 
surrounded by a reef, which also incloses the isle of 
Catalina. A break on the reef, on the western 
side, admits vessels to an anchorage, in 4 fathoms f . 
ihis island formerly belonged to the Earls of War- 
vdck, and its possession was secured to England by 
the 8th article of the American treaty in 1670, but 
it afterwards reverted to the Spaniards. It has lat- 

* JefFery's West India Atlas, p. 11, 
t Columbian Navigator, p. 31, 



47 

terly been in possession of the independent chief, 
General Aury, who has built a town there, called 
Isabella, Its present population is between three 
and four hundred souls, exclusive of the garrison. 
It has been very much celebrated in the history of 
the Buccaniers, who fortified it, and n[iade it for 
some time their principal retreat. In 166.5, Mans- 
velt, the pirate, sensible of the great convenience of 
these islands, in his descent? on the Spanish Main, 
took them, and connected them by a bridge, in- 
tending to raise provisions on them for his whole 
fleet, leaving a garrison and French governor ; the 
latter delivered them soon after to the Spaniards, 
who fortified them, but they were subsequently 
taken by the Buccaniers ^. Notwithstanding the 
smallness of this island, it may be considered as one 
of the best in the West Indies, both on account of 
its fruitfulness and the salubrity of its air; to which 
we may add, the facility of fortifying its shores ; 
it is watered by four streams, two only of which are 
dry in summer ; the woods, composed of cedars,, 
Fustic, and other trees for dying, are full of an in- 
credible number of pigeons; guanas, whose flesh 
in taste resembles that of a chicken, are in great 
abundance ; and there is not a serpent, or any other 
venomous creature to be found f . 



* Columbian Navigator, «r/. Mosquitia^ p. Si, 
t Jcffery's West India Atlas, p. U. 



48 

San Andres, sometimes called St Andrews, and 
St Andreas, lays in latitude 12^. 30', with the 
north point of the island N. by E. the middle E. 
by S. and the south point S. E *. San Andreas is 
about 18 leagues from Old Providence. At the S. 
W. side, you may anchor in very good sandy 
ground. About a mile from shore, you have from 
15 fathoms to 6 fathoms. You may come to an 
anchor in what water you please f . On the west 
side there is a fine harbour called the Cove, where 
large vessels may anchor within a cable's length of 
the shore ; " the water here is so deep that the Mon- 
" arch, a ship of 600 tons, anchored with a cable a- 
" stern, within a few yards of the shore J." On the 
east side there is good anchorage in Cocoa-Plumb^ 
Tree-Bay ; the entrance is between two small islets ; 
on the bar there is tvvo and a half fathoms water. 
This is an excellent harbour for vessels not exceed- 
ing 200 tons : up the harbour towards the north 
end, there is fine shelter, and plenty of wood and 
water to be had. 

Mr Weatherhead, a medical officer attached to the 
army of General Macgregor in 1819, and v/ho has 



* Columbian Navigator, p. Si. 

t Earle's Sailing Directions, p. 28. 

J An Account of the late expedition against the Isthmus of 
Darien, under the command of Sir Gregor McGregor, by W. 
p, Weatherhead, Esa^. London 1S2I, p. 15. 



49 

since published, rather a biassed account of the late 
expedition against Darien, influenced probably by 
his own disappointment, says, " the Island of St An- 
" drews is a coral formation, of small size, within a 
" few hours sail of the Island of Old Providence and 
" the Corn Islands, and about forty-eight hours sail 
" from the main land of South America. It is 
" beautifully varied by hills and valleys covered 
" with woods, sugar and cotton plantations, provision 
" grounds, and excellent pasture for oxen ; the beef 
" and pork here are very superior, fowls are in a- 
" bundance, yams, plantains, and cocoa-nuts, pines, 
" shaddocks, forbidden fruit and tamarinds, onions, 
** shalots, &c. &c. enrich the provision grounds, and 
"- grow round the picturesque houses and cottages of 
" the inhabitants ^." In another place he says, " two 
" roads lead from the cove the length of both sides 
" of the island i they are, however, somevv^hat diffi- 
" cult at landing to find out ; indeed, so snugly are 
" all the houses on the island situated, that only one 
" of them can be perceived from the sea, it appear- 
" ed to us to be uninhabited. The island is ex- 
" tremely healthy, rich and beautiful, perpetua;lly 
** cooled by delightful sea breezes -j- ." 

The island of San Andres contains about three 
hundred white persons and people of colour, and be- 



* Weatherhead's account of the expedition against the Isth- 
mus of Darien; p. ! 5, t Ibid. 



50 

tween ten and twelve hundred slaves ;" *Vthey caiTy 
" on a considerable smuggling trade with the Main, 
" ship cotton, &c. for Jamaica, supply Chagres and 
" Forto Bello with ground provisions, and I believe, 
" annually dispose of a number of the children of 
** their slaves at the ports on the South American 
" coast *• " In the month of December 1815, two 
Carthagenian privateers landed their crews and cap- 
tured the island, putting the Spanish governor and 
soldiers to the sword ; they spiked the guns of the 
batteries, and burnt the government house, and 
Governor Gonzale's plantation, at the same time 
carrying away many of the slaves. In 1818, Gene- 
ral Aury sent his sick here from the island of Pro- 
vidence, and in April 1819, General Macgregor came 
to an anchor in the Cove with hisfleet; "the island of 
" St Andreas was taken formal possession of by him- 
" self and the ex-governor, in the name of the govem- 
** ment of New Grenada, on Sunday the 4th April, 
" I8I9. At twelve o'clock the patriot colours of 
** Grenada were hoisted on Leva-hills, near the scite 
*' of an intended battery, which was to command 
" the cove, and a salute of 21 guns was fired by the 
" Hero upon the occasion f," immediately after which 
she was commissioned as a national vessel, and un- 



* Weatherhead's Account of the Expedition against %he 
isthmus of Darien, p, 1 5, 
t Ibid. p. 15. 



51 

der a second salute of twenty-one guns, hoisted the 
independent standard of New Grenada, when his 
Excellency Don Juan Elias Lopez, the governor of 
Carthagena and Delegate of the General Congress 
of New Grenada, conferred on her the name of El 
Macgregor *, in compliment to the commander in 
chief. " A dinner was given on shore by the ex-go^ 
" vernor, at which the principal officers were present, 
" and chief inhabitants of the island ; an oath of 
" allegiance to the government of New Gre- 
" nada was taken, and General Wolf's song, 
" The soldiers business is to die, was sung with 
" all that enthusiasm which the occasion inspired. 
** It was the intention of Sir Gregor to convert St 
" Andreas into a depot for the sick, to erect forts, 
" &c. upon the island, and to leave a part of the 
" artillery and stores f ." After the recr.pture of 
Porto Bello, General Macgregor returned here, and 
again took formal possession of the island, appointing 
Colonel Woodbine, the Adjutant-General of the 
army, to be its governor. At the capture of Porta 
Bello, he particidarly distinguished himself; Wea* 
therhead says, " Colonel Woodbine now led the 
" advance, who, from his experience In bush-fight- 
" ing in the late American war, when at the head of 
** the Indians, was well calculated for this descrip- 
" tion of service J." This officer, who has been 

* T/ie Macgregor. 

t Weatherhead's Account of the Expedition against ilie 
Isthmus of Darien, p. 19 and 20. X Ibid. p. 25, 

G 



52 

several years in the Cazique's service, was promoted 
in 1819, to the rank of Brigadier-General, and at 
the same time received the Military order of the 
Green Cross ; and in 1820, in consideration of his 
long and faithful attachment, was entrusted with 
the important office of Vice-Cazique of Poyais ; 
and it is my firm opinion, that no one could have 
been found more deserving and worthy of this con- 
fidence, or more capable of filling the important 
station vnth credit to himself, and benefit to the 
native Indians, as well as the settlers in general. 

There are some islets or kays in the vicinity of 
San Andres. At the distance of six leagues to the 
eastward are the E.S.E. Kays, they are three in 
number, and have reefs all round them ; there is 
good anchorage for small vessels, but a person ought 
to be V7ell acquainted. The S.S.W. Kays, called 
by the Dutch Abu-kerkefi, and by the Spaniards 
Albuquerque, are three islets v/ith good anchoring 
ground. There is nothing to fear here ; the water 
about them is deep and clear, and every thing may 
be seen. There are a few rocks above water, close 
to the kayS;, but they will be avoided by keeping 
the island of San Andres N. by W. until the 
S.S.W. kays bear S.W. by S. w^hen you may pro- 
ceed as convenient^. Both the above kays are 
covered with cocoa-nuts ; and large quantities of 
turtle are caught here in the season, m.any of them 

J Columbian Navigator, art Mosquitia, p, SI. 



53 

of the Hawks-biil species. In a clear day, both the 
E.S.E. and S.S.W. kays may be distinctly seen 
from the heights of San Andres. 

Corn Islands, called by the Spaniards Islas de 
ManglareSf lie to the eastward of Pearl Key La- 
goon ; they are of considerable height, the south- 
western is the largest. From the smaller island 
stretches a reef, about two leagues distant on the 
north-east side of the island. These two islands 
are reckoned 50 leagues distant from Sandy Bay ^. 
The largest is nearly surrounded by a reef, but 
there is anchorage on the western side, in clear 
sandy ground, in 4, 5, or 6 fathoms water. Little 
Corn Island, is full of large cocoa-nut trees, and 
has fresh water : in the Great Corn Island^ plenty 
of good fresh water may be found, by digging 
small holes in the sand. Several English families 
reside upon these islands, where they raise cotton 
and plenty of stock ; the population may be esti- 
mated at one hundred souls. 



MOUNTAINS. 
The chief of these to the v/estward, are called the 
Poyer Hills, and by the Spaniards Sierras de la 
Cruz, This high land terminates with a remark- 
able sugar loaf hill, supposed to have been a vol- 
cano, which stands several leagues inland, upon the 
eastern bank of Black River, and nearly south from 

* The West India Pilot, 33. 
G2 



.54 

the entrance ; further westward, a little distance in the 
interior, stands the high round hill called the Picacko, 
A chain of lofty mountains run diagonally from the 
Bay of Truxillo, nearly south-east, to Saiat Juans, 
which are deemed inaccessible, and serve as a strong 
barrier between the Spanish and Mosquito terri- 
tories *. 



CLIMATE. 



The climate is mild for those latitudes, and being 
continental, not nearly so hot as the islands in the 
same parallel f . The great salubrity of the air | of 
this delightful and most valuable country §, sup- 
plies a constant fund of health and activity to the 
European settler, a blessing which is seldom enjoy- 
ed in the same degree in any other part of either 
North or South America. With the exception of 
a few months in the year, this country is constantly 
refreshed by regular sea breezes, accompanied by an 
average of heat that may be taken at the tempera- 
ture of 80 degrees [j. The temperature of the air 

• Wright's Memoir, p. 11. 

t Memoir of the Mosquito Territory, by Captain Wright, R. 
N. 1808, p. 11. 

+ Ibid, p. 11. 

§ Account of the British Settlements on the Mosquito shore, 
by Bryan Edwards in 1773, 5th Edit. vol. 5, App. p. 202. 

\\ Account of the British Settlement of Honduras, by Captain 
Henderson, 4?4th Regiment, 2d Edit. 1811, p. IS. 



55 

varies indeed considerably according to the eleva- 
tion of the land, but with this exception, the me- 
dium degree of heat is much the same throughout 
the country. Captain Henderson, speaking of the 
climate of Honduras, very justly observes, " The 
" chmate of this part of the American continent is 
" greatly superior to that of most other parts of the 
" same vast portion of the globe, either in higher or 
" lower degrees of latitude. It is equally superior 
" to the climate of the West India islands general- 
" ly ; for persons whose health and constitutions 
** have become impaired from the effects of the 
** latter, very frequently acqu're a sudden lestora- 
" tion of both after an arrival at Honduras *. " This 
observation holds not only equally good, but even in 
a superior degree, with respect to the Mosquito shore, 
and there certainly is not any where to be found in 
either the Northern or Southern continent of Ame- 
rica so salubrious and delightful a climate. 



SEASONS. 



A tropical year seems properly to comprehend 
but two distinct seasons, the wet and the dry, and 
these have also their marked difference, though na- 
ture may not have determined the shades of varia- 



* Account of the British Settlement of Honduras, by Captaiq 
Henderson, 41th Regiment,^ 2d Edit. 1611, p. 12, 13. 



56 

tion with the same strong lines which she has affix- 
ed to most other situations under her dominion ; 
but as the rains in these climates constitute two 
great periods, it may be described like the Euro- 
pean year, under four divisions. 

The Spring or vernal season may be said to com- 
mence with the months of April and May, when 
the foliage of the trees evidently become more vi- 
vid, and the savannas begin to change their russet 
hue, even previous to the first periodical rains, 
which are now daily expected, and compared with 
the autumnal rains, may be said to be gentle show- 
ers. After these rains have continued a short time, 
the weather becomes dry, settled and salutary ; and 
the tropical Summer or dry season^ reigns in full 
glory. The sun, during this space, is always most 
powerful, and its vivid rays are not mitigated by 
the same uniformity of breeze that prevails dur- 
ing the other months of the year. Not a cloud is 
to be perceived ; and the nights at this season are 
transcendently beautiful. The clearness and bril- 
liancy of the heavens, the serenity of the air, and 
the soft tranquillity in which nature reposes, contri- 
bute to harmonise the mind, and produce the most 
cglm and delightful sensations. 

The moon too, in these climates, displays far great- 
er radiance than in Europe. The smallest print is le- 
gible by her light, and in the moon's absence, her 
fuactiou is not ill supplied by the brightness of the- 



57 

milky- way, and by that glorious planet Venus, 
which appears here like a little moon, and glitters 
with so refulgent a beam as to cast a shade from 
trees, buildings and other objects, making full a- 
mends for the short stay and abrupt departure of the 
crepusculum or twilight *, 

The state of the weather commonly continues 
with little variation, from the middle of June until 
the end of August, when the diurnal breeze begins 
to intermit, and the sun, during this space, is always 
more powerful, and instead of a steady and refresh- 
ing wind from the sea, there are usually faint bree- 
zes, and calms alternately. These are preludes 
to the second periodical or autumnal seasons. Large 
tov/ering clouds, fleecy and of a reddish hue, are 
now seen in the morning in the quarters of the 
south and south-east ; the tops of the mountains at 
the same time appear clear of clouds, and the ob- 
jects upon them wear a bluish cast, and seem much 
nearer to the spectator than usual. When these 
vast accumulations of vapour have risen to a con- 
siderable height in the atmosphere, they common- 
ly move horizontally towards the mountains, pro- 
claiming their progress in deep and rolling thunder, 
which reverberated from peak to peak, and an- 
swered by the distant roaring of the sea, heighten 
the majesty of the scene, and irresistibly lift up the 

* Edward's History of the West ludies, vol. 1 st, p. 9. 



58^ 

mind of the spectator to the great Author'of all sub- 
limity *. 

The waters, however, with which these congre- 
gated vapours load the atmosphere, seldom fall with 
great and general force until the beginning of Octo- 
ber. 

But the wet season, as it is emphatically denomi- 
nated, is not considered here the season of disease. 
It is fatally otherwise with the whole of the West 
Indies. At the beginning of November, what are 
called the norths, north winds, commence, and gene- 
rally continue, with little variation, till the return 
of the month of March. Whilst these winds last, 
the mornings and evenings are cold, frequently un- 
pleasantly so ; and what in this country is under- 
stood by a wet north, might perhaps furnish no very 
imperfect idea of a November day in England ; a 
dry north, on the contrary, is healthful, agreeable, 
and invigorating f . The north wind having ac- 
quired sufficient force, the atmosphere is cleared ; 
and now comes on a succession of serene and plea- 
sant weather, the north-east and northerly winds 
spreading coolness and d'^light throughout the whole 
of the country. If this interval, therefore, from the 
beginning of December to the end of April, be cal- 
led winter, it is certainly the finest winter on the 



• Edward's History of the West Indies, vol. 1st, p. 11, 
t Henderson's Honduras, p. 14, 



59 

globe. . To valetudinarians and persons advanced in 
life, it is the climate of Paradise *, 



SOIL. 



L I 



The soil is every where fertile in a very uncom^ 
mon degree, and capable of producing in the utmost 
perfection, whatever is produced between the tro- 
pics f. Few countries, perhaps, ever possessed 
higher advantages, in an agricultural point of view, 
than the greater part of that which is placed con- 
tiguous to the Bay of Honduras. The extraordinary 
benefits that might result from the happiest com- 
bination of climate and soil, are almost disregarded ; 
and the cultivation of the earth, which in almost 
every other spot of the habitable world, claims a 
first attention, is here held of no consideration at 
all f . The soil is so rich, that, until three or four 
seasons of ratoon canes has in some degree impo- 
verished the land, no sugar can be produced ; the 
first growth rising to the great height of sixteen to 
eighteen feet, and of several inches diameter ; which 
naturally impoverishes the saccharine juices. This 
fact must sufficiently tend to shew the great ferti- 



* Edward's History of the West Indies, vol. 1, p. 13, 

+ Ibid. p. 208. 

t Henderson's Honduras, p. 37, S8. 

H 



60 

lity of the soil in producing maize, Indian corn, 
cotton j coffee, and provisions of all kinds, exceeding 
bj far any thing known in the West India Is- 
lands *. 

In the month of September 1806, Captain Hen- 
derson was sent from Balize to the Mosquito Shore, 
charged with a variety of presents, ordered by go- 
ternment for the Chiefs of that nation ; he says, 
* The soil they inhabit is abundantly fertile, and 
** capable of many modes of cultivation. Indian 
" corn of the finest quality, plantains, cassava-root, 
^* varieties of the yam and sweet potatoe, are plen- 
" tifuUy raised from it. The sugar-cane, cotton 
'* and tobacco, thrive equally well ; and in the 
" mountainous situations, coffee, no doubt, might 
" be produced, not inferior to that which is raised 
** in the West India Islands f ." Had Captain Hen- 
derson visited Black River, he would have there 
seen as fine coffee as is produced in any part of the 
world. 

Every variety of animal and vegetable nature, 
for use or beauty, for food or luxury, has been most 
liberally bestowed on this country. It is every 
where plentifully watered ; and the soil is almost 
every where fertile in a very uncommon degree, and 



• Captain Wright's Memoir, p. 11, 12. 
+ Henderson's Sketches of the Mosquito Indian?, p. 212, 
213. 



61 

capable of producing, in the utmost perfection, 
whatever is produced between the tropics. The 
cotton bush, the cocoa or chocolate nut, and venel* 
loes, flourish spontaneously all over the country ; 
indigo, too^, is a native, and appears to be the 
same sort with that of the neighbouring province of 
Guatimala f , which is accounted the best of any. 
The sugar-canes arrive here to as great perfection as 
in any of the islands J. The productions common 
to the West India Islands, with a considerable va* 
riety of such as are more familiarly known to that 
part of the continent which is comprehended within 
the tropics, might unquestionably be cultivated at 
Honduras, with equal, if not, in many instances, 
with superior success. The sugar-cane viewed as 
the most valuable of all, thrives with the richest 
luxuriance. Coffee, another, and now become one 
of the most profitable articles of pur island culture, 
grows equally well. Cotton must likev/ise be in^ 
eluded. Indigo might also amply reward the labourg 
of the cultivator; an inferior sort is indigenous, In- 
dian arrow-root is abundantly produced, and pimento 
has been tried under the most encouraging appear-* 
ance of profit §. " Previous to the removal of the 
" English settlers from the Mosquito Shore, several 



• Indigofera Argenla, Linn. t Indigofera Dlsperma, Linn* 
% Edward's West Indies, vol. 5tlj, App. p. 205. 
§ Henderson's Honduras, p. 39. 

H3 



62 

«* sugar plantations had been formed on Black River, 
" and the sugar and rum which they furnished was 
M very generally deemed, by competent judges, not 
" inferior to the same articles the produce of Ja- 
" maica *." 

One might cultivate rice, cocoa, indigo, silk grass, 
tobacco, 6tc. to advantage in this country ; at pre- 
sent, we get from it tiger and buck-skins, dying- 
woods of several kinds, gums and balsams, indigo, 
cochineal, sarsaparilla, tortoise-shells, zebra -wood, 
for cabinet-makers, &c. but all these only in small 
quantities f . 

From Bluefields to Black Eiver, the country is 
generally flat for many miles from the sea-coast ; 
but it rises into hills much sooner to the westward 
of Black Hiver, and to the southward of Bluefields J. 
The savannas, or plains, afford the richest pastur- 
age, being capable of any sort of cultivation §; 
Endless tracts of fine ridges interspersed all over the 
country, would supply an inexhaustible fund of tar 
and turpentine ; the trees being so redundant with 
the liquors, that when put into the deepest rivers 
they instantly sink 11 . 



• Henderson's Honduras, p. 39, 40. 
t JefFery's West India Atla?, p. II. 

X Edward*a History of the West Indies, vol. 5tli, app. p. 
208. " 

§ Wright's Memoir, p. 14. 
II Ibid, p. 12. 



63 



MINERALS AND MINERAL SPRINGS. 

GoLD,~this is the only mineral that has yet been 
discovered in this country, with the exception of 
lapis calaminaris, in the Island of Guanaja : 
many of the rivers, by washing the sands in fine 
sieves, furnish the native globules of pure gold. 
Those mines that have been discovered are very 
rich : " I shall particularly mention one at Albra- 
" poyer, which might have turned out to infinite 
" advantage to those concerned, had honesty in the 
" conducting of it been as proportionably attended 
" to as the mine was rich. This mine, with several 
" others might, with proper management, be again 
" worked to great benefit *. '' In the neighbour- 
ing province of Honduras, there are a great many 
mines both of silver and gold ; it is therefore pro- 
bable that mines of the former metal will also be dis- 
covered here, when the country becomes more peo- 
pled, for the ridge of mountains that traverse the 
Mosquito territory, are spurs of the same great 
chain that separate this country from that of Hon- 
duras and Nicaragua, and which contain many rich 
mines of both these metals. The Mexican gold is 
chiefly alluvial, but partly found in primitive moun- 

* Wright's Memoir p. 1 4. 



64 

istms, and mixed with silver, in the mines of that 
metal *. 

Lapis Calaminaris,— this mineral is found in the 
Island of Guanaja ; it is an ore of zinc, of a spongy- 
substance, and a lax and cavernous texture, yet con- 
siderably heavy. Zinc, which forms the connect- 
ing link between the ductile metals, and those 
which are not so, when found oxidated, is then com- 
monly called Calamine, or Lapis Calaminaris. Cal- 
amine, according to Werner, is not found in the 
primitive rocks. It oftener occurs sulphurated, and 
then the vulgar name of it is Pseudo-galena, or 
Blende. It generally accompanies galena, or sul- 
phuret of lead. It is often mixed with iron, gold, 
and silver. The latter in particular is frequently 
found in sulphurated zinc. It combines with al- 
most all the metals, and some of its alloys are of great 
importance. Zinc combines readily with copper, 
and forms one of the most useful of all the metallic 
alloys. When the zinc does not exceed a fourth 
part of the copper, the alloy is known by the iiame 
of brass. When the alloy contains three parts of 
zinc, and four of copper, it assumes a colour nearly 
the same with gold ; but it is not so maleable as^ 
brass. It is then called pinch-beck, princes metal, 
or Prince Rupert's metal. Tin and zinc may be 

t Edinburgh Gazetteer, Introductioii, p. 77. 



65 

easily combined by fusion. The alloy is much 
harder than zinc, and scarcely less ductile. This 
alloy is often the principal ingredient in the com- 
pound called pewter. The importation of this ore 
into the United States of America, is free of duty ; 
it may perhaps therefore merit the attention of some 
of the settlers. 

At the junction of two of the branches of the 
Black River, or Rio Tinto, and in latitude 15^, 8'. 
are two springs, the one hot, the other cold ; they 
are situated close to each other at the base of a 
ridge of mountains, which contain, according to re- 
port, several rich mines of gold, and probably also 
some of the other mineral ores. 



TREES, SHRUBS, PLANTS, &c. 

Mahogany *,-<-This beautiful and valuable tree 
grows in vast quantities in various parts of this 
country ; it thrives in most soils, and varies both in 
grain and texture with each ; that which growls a- 
mong the rocks is smaller, but very hard and weigh- 
ty, of a close grain and beautifully shaded ; while 
the produce of the low and richer lands is observed 
to be more light and porous, of a paler colour and 
open grain ; and that o^ mixed soils to hold a me- 
dium between both. The tree grows very tall and 

* Srviclcnict Mahagoni, Linn, 



66 

straight, rising often sixty feet from the spur to the 
branches, and is usually about four feet in diameter. 
The leaves are of a beautiful deep green, the flower 
of a reddish or saffron colour, and the fruit of an 
oval form, about the size of a turkey's egg ; while 
that which grows in the mountainous districts hard- 
ly exceeds the size of a nutmeg : the whole appear- 
ance of this tree, is the most beautiful that can be 
imagined. It is said, that some have grown to the 
enormous height of one hundred feet. The wood is 
generally hard, takes a fine polish, and is found to 
answer better than any other sort in all kinds of 
cabinet ware. It is a very strong timber, and answers 
very well in beams, joists, plank, board and shingles ; 
and has been frequently put to those uses in Jamai- 
ca in former times *. The Spanish men of war ta- 
ken by the English, at the last memorable siege of 
Gibraltar, in 1782, were of the finest species of this 
wood. 

The mahogany tree is seldom found in clusters, or 
groups, but single and often much dispersed f ; 
there are two seasons of the year for cutting it ; the 
first commencing shortly after Christmas, the other 
about the middle of the year. The tree is common- 
ly cut about twelve feet from the ground. The 
workmen raise a scaffolding four or five feet high 



* Brown's Civil and Natural History of Jamaica, p. 159, 
t Henderson's Honduras, p. 62, 



67 

for the axe-man employed in levelling it. The part 
beneath, extending to the roots, is not only of a lar- 
ger diameter, but of a closer texture than the other 
parts, most elegantly diversified with shades or 
clouds, or dotted like ermine, with black spots, and 
moreover takes the highest polish, with singular 
lustre. This part is only to be come at by digging 
below the spur to the depth of two or three feet, 
and cutting it through, which is so laborious an o- 
peration, that few attempt it, unless they are un- 
commonly curious in the choice of their wood, oi* 
to serve a particular order *. The body of the tree, 
from the dimensions of the wood it furnishes, is 
deemed the most valuable ; but for purposes of orna- 
mental kind, the branches or limbs are generally 
preferred, the grain of these being much closer, and 
the veins more rich and variegated. Some of the 
wood is rough squared upon the spot, but this part 
of the labour is generally suspended until the logs 
are rafted to the entrance of the different rivers* 
** It has been remarked, by those of most experience 
*^ in the occupation, that the mahogany which is 
" fallen between the months of February and Sep-^ 
" tember is very liable to split ; the same observa-* 
" tion extends to that also which grows in rocky or 
" mountainous situations. This is the bay-man's 
" greatest evil, for the wood more particularly sub- 



* Mortimer's Commercial Dictionary. 
I 



68 

" ject to this inconvenience is invariably the largest 
•* and of the finest quality. There is but one pre- 
" caution against this, whenever the tendency to- 
** wards it is discovered, which is, to keep the tree 
" immersed as closely as possible in deep water until 
** the time for shipping, or otherwise disposing of it 
" arrives*." 

The price of mahogany on the Mosquito Shore, is 
only £12 Jamaica currency per thousand feet. At 
Balize it sells from sixteen to thirty pounds. This 
difference of price arises from the cheapness of la- 
bour in the Mosquito territory, and its greater a- 
bundance. " To give some idea of the profit, 
" thoughperhaps the instances of such success are not 
" numerous, which has been known to attend the 
" cutting of mahogany : a single tree has been found 
" to contain 12,000 superficial feet, and this to pro- 
" duce upwards of one thousand pounds sterling f ." 
When this country was is possession of the British, 
the exportation of mahogany in 1769 amounted to 
800,000 superficial feet J. 

Logwood §. — ^This tree is small and crooked, with 
a dark rough bark, the branches armed with solitary 
auxiliary prominent thorns : the leaves are wedge-sha- 



* Henderson's Honduras, p. 62. 
t Ibid. 

X Edward's Account of the British Settlements on the Mos- 
quito Shore, drawn up for the use of Governme;nt in 177S. 
§ Hcematozi/hm Capechianum, Linn. 



69 

ped, very smooth and shining ; the flowers are nu- 
merous, and appear either solitary, or in pairs, and 
are of a reddish yellow colour. In 1715 it was 
brought to Jamaica, in order to be propagated there 
for exportation, and it now grows in many parts of 
that island. It thrives best in low swampy lands, 
or shallow waters, where the bottom is rich and 
moderately firm, and seldom rises above twelve or 
fourteen feet in height, or exceeds seven inches in 
diameter ; but the trunk is generally short and un- 
even ^, It may be classed among productions of an 
aquatic kind, and can seldom be obtained in any a- 
bundance but in a low swampy soil or contiguous to 
fresh water creeks and lakes, on the edges of which 
the root, the only valuable part of the tree, spreads 
to a very wide extent f. I am not aware that this 
tree is to be found in the Mosquito territory, and 
if so, in only very small quantities. Captain Hen- 
derson says, *^ it may likewise be observed, that it 
" is a production of local growth, and but rarely dis- 
" covered in any direction southwardly from the 
*%settlement of Balize J.' ' As this plant produces a 
very valuable dye, and has been naturalized in Ja- 
maica, I think there is little doubt, but what it 
might thrive on some parts of the eastern coasts of 



* Brown's Civil and Natural History of Jamaica, p, 2^. 
f Henderson's Honduras^ p. 70. 
t Ibid. p. 71. 

I 2 



70 

this country, were any of the settlers to be curious 
enough to make the experiment. This tree it is 
said attains to maturity in five years. 

Cei>ar *, is found in great abundance in this 
country, and grows to the height of seventy or 
eighty feet, and is sometimes found from five to 
six feet in diameter ; the trunk is covered with a 
rough bark, marked with longitudinal fissures ; but 
when young, the bark is smooth and of an ash- co- 
lour, growing rough as it advances in age ; when fresh 
cut, it has an unpleasant smell, resembling that of a- 
safoetida ; the timber, however, has a pleasant smeU 
when dry, and is soft, light, and of a reddish colour. 
The leaves are sometimes near three feet long, and have 
a smell resembling that of the bark. , The flowers are 
small and of a whitish flesh-colour. The wood of this 
tree is much esteemed for wainscoting, and the in- 
ternal partitions of most sorts of cabinet ware. It 
makes good planks and shingles for houses, but can- 
not be made into casks, as all spirituous liquors 
dissolve a great quantity of its natural resin, and 
from thence acquire a strong bitter taste f . It is 
much used for canoes and periaguas, some of which 
have been hollowed out of its trunk, not less than 
forty feet long, and six broad : the softness and hght- 

* Cedrela Odorala, Linn. 

t Brown's Civil and Natural History of Jamaica, p. 158. 



71 

ness of its wood render it peculiarly proper for this 
purpose I and it is a valuable material for chests of 
drawers, and other articles of household furniture^ 
because its odour is offensive to insects. 

Santa Maria. — This is reckoned pretty good tim. 
ber-wood ; but it must be kept under cover, for it 
does not bear the weather well: it is frequently 
used for staves and headings *. There is another 
tree of the same name, which I beheve is the Ter* 
miiialia latifblia of botanists, and the Broad-leaf 
tree of Jamaica. This wood has lately become 
greatly in repute for ship-building, and its im- 
portation into Great Britain is encouraged by 
its being declared, for a limited time, free of duty. 

SuMWOOD, or SoMEWooD, is a peculiar non-de- 
script wood, fit for many purposes of ship-building ; 
" the valuable properties of it are, to be impregna- 
" ble to the worm, and resist rust ; this I had an 
" opportunity of ascertaining very fairly, by getting 
*' the carpenters of the Swift to build a boat of it for 
" me, 28 feet length of keel, that I used all the 
" time I was in that country, and a twelvemonth 
" after I returned to England, finding it answers all 
" the good qualities that were given of it f ." 

* Brown's Civil and Natural History of Jamaica, p. 372* 
t Memoir of the Mosquito Territory, by Captain Joh^ 
Wright, R. N. p. \2. 



72 

OucA,or Bastard Lignum vitae *. — This tree ri- 
ses to a very considerable height ; its trunk is often a- 
bove two feet and a half in diameter, and is covered 
with a thick scaly bark. The leaves are about 
three inches long, and two broad, smooth, with a 
strong mid-rib, and many interbranching veins; 
the wood is hard, dark coloured, and close grained. 
It is esteemed as one of the best timber woods of 
the country. 

Fustic f . — This tree is found in many parts of the 
country, and abounds particularly in the Santanilla, 
or Swan Islands. It has a large and straight trunk 
rising to the height of upwards of sixty feet, wdth 
long and large roots ; the bark is of a yellow colour. 
The wood is very fine and solid, and of a fine yel- 
low; the leaves are alternate, on shortish stalks, 
rough, dark green, pointed, and larger towards the 
footstalk ; the fruit is as large as a nutmeg, round, 
formed like a mulberry, but greenish, both within 
and without, with brown seeds. This is a fine tim- 
ber wood ; and a principal ingredient in yellow dies, 
for which it is chiefly imported into Europe. The 
berries are sweet and wholesome, but not much 
used, except it be by the winged tribe, by whose 
care it is chiefly planted J. It is principally used in 

* RImmnus Sarcomphalus, Linn. 

+ Moims Tinctoria^ Linn. 

% Brown's Civil and Natural History of Jamaica^ p. 339, 



73 

general dyeing, and seldom in printing. It goes 
much further than weld. 

Yellow Sanders *, is of a pale yellowish or 
brownish colour, of close even grain, and with a smell 
approaching to a mixture of musk and roses, and of 
a somewhat acid taste, with a slight bitterness ^ it 
is a most beautiful wood, and yields by digestion a 
rich yellow tincture. On account of its fine frag- 
rance, it is held in universal estimation. The v/ood 
of this tree is said to make good inside timbers. 
There is a shrubby plant f of this species which is 
sometimes found in swampy places. 

Pine J.— This tree rises to the height of fifty or six- 
ty feet, with upright uneven rugged branches ; the 
leaves have rough, or finely serrated edges, and are 
crowded about the extremities of the branches. A- 
bout the different rivers and lagoons, particularly 
towards the coasts, are found extensive tracts of 
land abounding with pine trees of various kinds. 
Captain Henderson, speaking of those found at Bailee, 
says, ** The timbers which these furnish, can scarcely 
" be excieeded in size, and are generally considered for 
" every necessary purpose, greatly superior to what 
'* can be imported of the same kind from the Unit- 

* Santalian, Linn. 

+ Pterocarpus Ecasiaphyllum, Linn. 

:|: Pinus Occ'identales , Lambert. 



74 

" ed States. But the cause which has been before 
" assigned, the high value of labour in this country, 
" has occasioned the settlers, in most instances, ra- 
** ther to prefer purchasing such materials from the 
** Americans, than have recourse to those before 
" them of domestic growth ^. " Several saw mills, 
some of them to be worked by steam, are about 
being erected in the territory of Poyais, for the 
purpose of cutting lumber, both for domestic con- 
sumption and exportation. 

Endless tracts of pine ridges interspersed all over 
the country, would supply an inexhaustible fund of 
tar and turpentine : the trees being so redundant 
with the liquors, that, when put into the deepest ri- 
vers they instantly sink f . While the British were 
in possession of Black Biver, several of the settlers 
engaged in the manufacture of tar, and some of the 
ovens used by them are still standing. The large 
quantities of pitch pine :{: upon the borders of Black 
River Lagoon, might be turned to valuable account, 
and become an article of extensive exportation to 
Europe, and particularly Great Britain ; and there 
are few occupations that would better repay the la- 
bours of the settler, as may be seen from the follow- 
ing extracts, copied from Warden's Account of the 



* Henderson^s Honduras, p. 109. 
t Wright's Memoir, p. i2. 
t Finns Toeddj Linn, 



75 

United States. " From the pitch pine which covers 
" the high sandy soil of the low country, an immense 
" quantity of turpentine, tar, and pitch, is extract- 
" ed. These commodities formerly enriched many 
*' farmers, who gained from the labours of one man 
*' between ^100 and £200 a-year. The turpentine 
" is obtained by the simple process of making two 
" slits in the trunk of the pine, each about a foot in 
" length, under which vessels are placed to receive 
" the resin, or gum, as it flows. For extracting tar^ 
" a circular basin, or floor of potter's earth, is made, 
" and so perforated as to allow the escape of the re- 
" sinous matter, which is received in carts placed 
" underneath as it runs from the burning pine. 
" Pitch is formed by boiling the tar in pots of iron, 
" or in vessels formed of potter's earth ^." In Nor- 
way, the inhabitants extract tar from the root of the 
fir tree f. 

Mangrove X* — There are three species of this tree, 
the black, white, and red. This tree is generally 
found on the borders of the sea, in whose waters 
alone it seems to thrive ; and there, only in such 
places as have a soft and yielding bottom. The 

* Warden's Account of the United States of America, vol. 
Sd, p. S'i^. 

t Rordanz*s Europ. Commerce, p. 228. 
X Rizophoi^a Mangle, Linn. 

K 



76 

fruit of thi3 tree germinates within the cup, and 
grows from the top downwards, until it acquires a 
due degree of weight and perfection: then it falls 
oiF; and as the root part is always thickest, and 
hangs lowest, it drops in that direction, and is thus 
received in the natural position in the mud below : 
the leaves immediately unfold, and in a few minutes 
you see a perfect plant, sometimes of ten or twelve 
inches in length, which soon begins to shoot its roots, 
and push its growth like the parent stem*. 

The trunk of the Mangrove seldom grows to any 
considerable thickness ; it is said sometimes to grow 
to the height of fifty feet, has a white wood, and 
rusty coloured bark. The wood is very tough and 
hard, bears the t^ate'r well, and the hlack species is 
inuch trsed for knees and ribs in long-boats, and o- 
ther small craft ; for which the archings and angles 
of its limbs most naturally adapt it. Its lower bran- 
ches become frequently the supporters of the Ameri- 
can oysters, w^hich has gi-ren rise to the fabulous ac- 
count of the growth of this shell- fish f . The red 
species is greatly preferred for the firmness of its 
texture' and its extraordinary durability : the bark it 
furnishes has been thought little inferior to that of 
the oak, when applied to the purpose of tanning 
leather. This species of the mangrove usually 



♦ Brown's Civil and Natural Histofy of Jamaica, p. %\ I. 
t Ibid. 



T7 

grows on the borders of the sea, or on the edges of 
the rivers and creeks contiguous to it *. 

Sea-side Grape, or Mangrove Grape tree f . This 
is a large tree ; the branches irregularly spreading, 
not forming a handsome head, but rendered beauti- 
ful by the leaves and fruit. The leaves are large, 
often quite round, of a deep green, with small scarlet 
veins ; the flowers are small and of a whitish colour. 
It grows on a sandy soil, generally near the sea. 
The wood, according to Jacquin, is of a deep red co- 
lour, very hard, heavy, brittle, but almost incorrupt- 
ible : when used for posts or pallisades, the part un- 
derground becomes as hard as stoae. The fruit is 
said to be good to eat. This tree is found extreme- 
ly useful, from the naturally formed knees and tim- 
bers it supplies for small vessels. 

Sapodilla % called by the natives Eban, and in 
the island of Jamaica the Bully, or Nisberry Bully 
iree^ is found extremely useful for many purposes. 
It generally grov/s the tallest of all the trees in the 
woods ; its fruit is small, and the seeds oblong and 
narrow. It is esteemed one of the best timber trees 
in Jamaica §. There is another species of it called 

* Henderson's Honduras, p. 108. 

t Coccoloba Uvifera, Linn. 

X /Ichras, Linn. ^ 

§ Brown's Civil and Natural History of Jamaica, p. 20L 

K % 



78 

the White Bully tr^^, oi Galimeta uvod^. This 
tree grows to a considerable height, and is generally 
furnished with many branches towards the top ; but 
then rise irregularly and at distant stages, as they 
usually appear in most of the j^r^- of Europe. The 
berries of this tree are black, smooth, and very 
small f . AH the species of this genus are found 
growing naturally in the woods, and are much 
sought after for the sake of their fruit, which 
is very agreeable and pleasant to the taste. The 
bark of several of the species is very astringent, and 
is called Cortex Jamaicenis, This was once sup- 
posed to be the true Jesuits bark, but its effect on 
the negroes has been found to be pernicious. 

Palmetto J, Palmetto Royal, or Mountain 
Cabbage, so called, because the upper part of the 
trunk is sometimes eaten, and supposed to resemble 
the European cabbage in flavour. This is a most 
beautiful tree, and Brown says, " may be esteemed 
" the queen of the woods ;" it grows to a very con- 
siderable size ; rises by a tall straight trunk, which 
bilges moderately at some distance above the root ; 
and shoots by a straight cylindric tapering body from 
thence to the top, where it spreads into a large and 

* AcJiras Salicifolia, Linn. 

t Brown's Civil and Natural History of Jamaica, p. 201, 

% Talma Altissima, Linn, 



79 

beautiful foliage, not unlike that of the cocoa-nut 
tree*e The sheaths of the leaves are very close, and 
form the green top of the trunk, a foot and a half in 
length. The fruits are oblong, obtuse berries of a 
blue purple colour, and about the size of an olive, 
containing a stone or nut vp^hich is oblong, mem- 
braneous, smooth, brittle, inclosing a very hard car- 
tilaginous kernel. " The upper part of the trunk 
" from vi^hence the foliage springs, resembles a well 
" turned finely polished baluster, of a lively green 
" colour, gently swelling from its pedestal, and di- 
" minishing gradually to the top, where it expands 
" into branches waving like plumes of ostrich fea- 
" thers. From the centre of the summit rises the 
" spatha or sheath, terminating in an acute point. 
*' The trunk itself is not less graceful, being a 
" straight, smooth, slightly annulated column, large 
" at the base, and tapering from thence to the in- 
*' sertion of the baluster or cabbage f." Within 
the leaves, at the top of the palm, is found a white 
heart of eight or nine inches in circumference, which 
is called cabbage, and which is esteemed a great 
luxury by the inhabitants, who eat it either raw as 
saliad, or fried with butter, as well as boiled, and 
compare its taste to that of the archichoke. Some 
authors say, that it frequently rises to above 200 



* Brown's Civil and Natural History of Jamaica, p. 342, 
t Edward's History of the West Indies, vol. 1st, p. 2P. 



80 

feet in height, with a trunk no bigger than a man's 
thigh, and covered with a coat which is impenetra- 
ble to a musket ball. Ray makes mention of one 
of these trees that was observed to grow to the 
height of 270 feet, or thereabouts. Ligon men- 
tions some, at the first settlement of Barbadoes, 
about 200 feet in height ; but Mr Hughes observes, 
that the highest in his time, in that island, was 134 
feet. Edwards says, I am inclined to believe, that 
I have seen them in Jamaica upwards of 150 feet 
in height ; but it is impossible to speak with cer- 
tainty, without an actual measurement. Neither 
the tall trees of Lebanon, (says Hughes) nor any 
trees of the forest, are equal to it in height, beauty, 
or proportion ; so that it claims among vegetables, 
that superiority, which Virgil gives to Rome among 
the cities of Italy : 

" Verjim hcec imtmn alias inter caput extuUt vrbes, 
*' Qiiantum lenta solent inter vihurna cupressi" 

This tree is found very abundant in the different 
islands and kays, and its wood is found remarkably 
serviceable in the construction of wharfs, or when 
put to any use where a continued resistance to water 
may be needed. 

PALMETO-THATcft ^, grows both in the rocky 

* Palma BrasiUen&is primifera. Sloane. 



81 

hills, and low moist plains near the sea, but seems 
to thrive best in the former. It shoots by a simple 
stalk, and rises generally from four or five, to ten or 
fourteen feet in height. It is always furnished with 
leaves of the form of a fan, sustained by slender 
compressed foot-stalks, and bears a great abundance 
of small berries, whieh seem to feed both the birds and 
beasts of the wood, when they are in season. The 
trunk seldom exceeds four or five inches in diame^. 
ter ; it is called the Thatch-pole, and is much used 
for piles in wharfs, and other buildings made in the 
sea ; for it has been observed to stand the M^ater 
very well, and is never corroded or touched by the 
worms : the foot stalks of the leaves are very tough, 
and serve (when split and pared} to make baskets; 
bow-strings, ropes, and a thousand other convenien-^ 
ces, where strength and toughness is required. The 
leaves are called Thatch, and are daily used as such 
in most new settlements and plantations, especially 
for all the out-houses, and is found to stand the 
weather for many years ; but such coverings are 
apt to harbour rats^ and other vermin, which pre-» 
vents a more general use of them ^. 

Iron Wooof, the Ybera PuteranA of MarC- 
grave. — This wood is of a reddish cast, and is called 



* Brown's Natural History of Jamaica, p. 191. 
t Hydcroxylum. Linn. 



S2 

iron wood, on account of its corroding as that metal 
does, and its being remarkably hard and ponderous, 
even more so than ebony. It will not float in wa- 
ter, but sinks like metals. In South America it is 
used for the shafts of the wheels of water-mills, 
for the rollers with which the cylinders are jointed 
for pressing the sugar canes, 8^c. Iron wood is fre- 
quently employed in the manufacture of works of 
taste, and in the formation of such articles as are re- 
quired to possess durability. 

Calabash-Tree *. — This tree seldom rises above 
sixteen or twenty feet in height ; the trunk is gene- 
rally irregular, and the branches crooked and spread- 
ing ; the wood is very tough and flexible, which 
renders it very fit for the coach-makers purposes, 
where it is observed to answer better than any other 
sort of timber hitherto known f . The shell of the 
fruit is so thin and close, that it serves to boil wa- 
ter, as well as an earthen pot. The thicker parts are 
frequently used for button moulds, and it also makes 
a light and convenient drinking cup, for which pur- 
pose they are much esteemed, and are often found 
so large, as to be able to contain a gallon of water, 
or other fluid. 



* Crescentltty Linn. 

t Brown's Natural History of Jamaica; p. S66. 



93 

Button Wood *. — This tree grows very luxuri- 
antly in low sandy bays and marshes, and seldom 
rises above fifteen or sixteen feet, although it has 
sometimes been known to grow as high as thirty 
feet ; the leaves are smooth and greasy to the touch ; 
the flowers are small and of a greenish yellow. 
The Spaniards call it Mangle Saragoza, It is 
used for fire- wood, and its bark, it is said, serves to ■ 
tan leather very well f . 

Bullet-Tree.^ — ^This is a hard wood, and much 
esteemed. 

Willow J. — This tree is very common, and grows 
on the banks of most of the rivers. 

Bamboo §, the large or Wild Bamboo Cane, is 
very common in the cooller swampy bottoms a-^ 
mong the mountains, and rises frequently to the 
height of twelve or fourteen feet from the root ; it 
is jointed like other reeds, is about an inch and a 
half in diameter near the bottom, and tapers gradu- 
ally towards the top ; the outward coat is hard and 
smooth, and the body firm, and filled with a soft 



* Conocarpus Evecta, Linn. 

t Brown's Natural History of Jamaica, p. 159. 

X Salix Mosquitiana. 

§ Arundo Bambosj Linn. 

L 



84 

fibroQS substahee : the whole stalk is strong and 
elastic, and is generally used for wattles in those 
countries where they cover their houses with tyles, 
or thatch. They are also used for baskets ; but to 
prepare them for this purpose, they are obliged to 
split them into tender slips, and to pare off the in- 
ward more pithy part, leaving none but the out- 
ward rind and lignous fibres for use. The tops of 
the more tender shoots of this plant are frequently 
pickled in America, and very much liked ; they 
eat very crisf) and tender *. There are several spe- 
cies of this tree, some of them rising to the height 
of thirty feet, while others again, rise only a few 
feet from the ground. It is common on the banks 
of most of the rivers. 

MoHOE f .-^This tree is frequent by the sea side, 
and is also found at some distance up the several ri- 
vers, and grows very luxuriantly in many places. 
It rises commonly to the height of sixteen or eigh- 
teen feet, and throws out some large flowers, which 
generally appear of a yellow, or saffron colour. The 
bark of the tree is very tough, and not much infe- 
rior to either hemp, or flax, on many occasions ; it is 
naturally white, and of a fine, soft, filamentous tex- 



* Brown's Natural History of Jamaica, p. i; 
t Ahhcsa Rucemqsa, Liim. 



85 

ture ; which must, undoubtedly, render it extreme- 
ly fit for the paper-^mill *. The bark of it is woven 
into ropes, which are found to be little inferior to 
those made from hemp for strength and durability. 
At Honduras, the body of this tree is usually 
converted into rafts to float the logwood down to 
the sea f . All the parts of the tree, especially the 
flowers, abound with a fine mucilage, and are both 
emollient and laxative. There are several species of 
this tree. 

Caoutchouc J, or Elastic Gum, from which the 
well known material of Indian rubber is made, is 
abundantly found in most places, and is a consider- 
able article of barter between the native Indians 
who collect it and the traders. The Mexicans call 
it oUi, and the Spaniards ule. Besides its use for 
removing the marks of black-lead from paper, &c. 
it is employed in the construction of various surgi- 
cal instruments ; it is also of use to chemists, as a 
material for flexible tubes to gazometers and other 
apparatus ; a mixture of volatile oil and alcohol 
will dissolve it, and it thus forms a good varnish. 
And finally, it enters as an essential ingredient into 
the composition of the best varnish for balloons. 



* Brown's Natural History of Jamaica, p. 2S4?. 

+ Henderson's Honduras, p. 110. 

.t Hcevca Caoutckoiic,-~'JalrophaElaslicaj Linn. 

L2 



m 

The juice of it may also be used in making cloth 
of all kinds, boots, shoes, gloves, &-€. impenetrable 
to water ; and there can be no doubt, but that it 
might be applied to a vast variety of important 
purposes. From the bark of the tree when wound- 
ed, there flows a milky juice, which by exposure to 
the air, in a short time turns black, and is convert- 
ed into caoutchouc. The American caoutchouc, is 
usually brought to Europe in the form of globular 
liarrow necked bottles, about a fourth of an inch 
thick, and capable of holding from half a pint to a 
quart, or more. They are formed upon moulds of 
unbumt clay, pieces of which are often found ad- 
hering to the inside. At Cayenne, it is said to be 
lised for torches, on account of its inflammability. 

Locust Tree *.— This is a large spreading tree, 
with a thick stem, and covered with a russet 
bark. It grows to a very considerable size, and is 
looked upon as an excellent timber- tree ; but it 
must be very old before it is cut, otherwise the 
heart will be but small. The flowers are of a yel- 
low colour, striped with purple, and hang in loose 
panicles, at the end of the branches. The pods are 
fleshy, brown, shaped like the common garden bean, 
about six inches long, and half as broad, of a pur- 
plish brown colour, and woody consistence, each con- 

* UymctiGca Courbaril, Linii 



^! 



87 

tatning a few seeds separated by transverse parti- 
tions, and inclosed in a whitish substance, inter- 
mixed with filaments, as sweet as honey, which is 
eaten by the Indians with great avidity. Between 
the principal roots of the tree exudes a fine trans- 
parent resin, yellowish or red, which is the Gum 
AniTne of the shops. This is the finest varnish 
known, when dissolved in rectified spirits of wine : 
it is also used in perfumes, and in medicine, exter- 
nally. It has been remarked, that the wild-bees 
are very fond of building their nests in the bran- 
ches of this tree. Its wood is in great request for 
wheel-work in the sugar-mills, particularly for cogs 
to the wheels, being extremely hard and tough, as 
well as capable of a fine polish. It is so heavy that 
a cubic foot of it v/eighs about a quarter of a hun- 
dred weight. 

Pole -Wood. — This tree is found in great a- 
bundance in the vicinity of Black River, and is 
said to be excellent for making shafts and wheels 
for chaises. 

Braziletto *.- — This tree grows in a dry and 
rocky soil ; it is an excellent timber- wood, but sel-. 
dom exceeds eight or ten inches in diameter in the 



• Ccesalpnia, Linn. 



88 

most perfect state. The wood is elastic, tough, 
and durable ; and bears a fine polish : it is of a 
beautiful orange colour, full of resin, and yields 
a fine full tincture by infusion*. 

Dragon's-Blood-Tree f . — This tree rises to a- 
bout the height of thirty feet, and is a native of 
the interior of the country : the flowers are of a 
yellow colour ; and it yields a red pellucid resin, 
called DragorCs Blood f , which had formerly the 
reputation of stopping haemorrhages, but it is now 
out of use. This substance is a blood-red resin, 
and the best sort is the exsudations from the tree, 
in the shape of oval drops. This resin, when finely 
pulverised, becomes a fine crimson. It is totally 
insoluble in water, insipid and without smell when 
cold, but if heated, it gives a fragrant odour like 
benzoin: a solution of it in alcohol serves to 
stain marble of a beautiful and permanent red co- 
lour ; it is also employed in staining leather and 
wood ; as also in lacquering and varnishing, and for 
similar uses ; and is so much valued by artists, that 
the finest samples bear a pretty high price. 



• Long's History of Jamaica, p. 227« 
t Pterocarjms Draco, Linn. 
J Sanguis Draconis^ 



89 

Cocoa Nut *.■ — This tree is plairted in most parts 
of America, both for its beauty and productions : 
tliis is the common inhabitant of almost every situa- 
tion within the tropics ; and in this country, both 
on the continent and different islands, is most abun- 
dant : it grows generally in the low lands, and is 
from forty to sixty feet high, of a moderate thick- 
ness in proportion to its height, straight, naked, 
marked with the scars of fallen leaves. It bears all 
its foliage at the top, like the rest of the kind. This 
consists of many strong ribs, furnished with long 
narrow leaves folded lengthways, which rise in a 
continued series on both sides, and spreads very 
evenly both ways. These ribs shoot gTadually from 
the top ; and as the younger ones stretch out suffi- 
ciently to raise the sap ; the lower ones decline, 
wither away gradually, and fall off* in time. The 
flowers are of a yellowish white. The nut or shell 
is formed of a hard compact substance, and filled 
with a sweetish water, while young ; but as the 
fruit advances in its growth, this deposites a soft ge- 
latinous crust upon the sides of the shell, which har- 
dens gradually with age, until at length it acquires a 
strong concreted texture ; and then it is not unlike 
the substance of an almond, either in taste, or con- 
sistence. This kernel in some plants is near an inch 

* Falma Indica Ntwifera, 



90 

thick, enclosing about a pint of sweet, delicate, 
wholesome refreshing liquor, which is looked upon 
as one of the greatest [dainties in America. Its 
trunk is made into boats, rafters, the frames of hou- 
ses, and gutters to convey water. The leaves are 
used for thatching buildings, and are wrought into 
mats, baskets, and many other things for -^hich osiers 
are employed in Europe. The fibrous coat or husk, 
of the shell, after being soaked in water, is beaten 
into oakum, spun into a variety of yarns, woven in- 
to sail-cloth, and twisted into ropes and cables even 
for the largest ships ; for these purposes it is prefer- 
able to hemp on account of its greater durability. 
The woody shell itself, or nut which encloses the; 
kernel, is polished and formed into goblets, powder 
boxes, and various kinds of cups. The kernels, pres^ 
sed in a mill, yield an oil, which when fresh, is e- 
qual in goodness to the oil of sweet almonds ; it is 
said to become soon rancid, and is then employed by 
painters. It is also much used in South America 
for burning in their lamps, and has lately become 
an article of exportation. If the body of the tr'^.e 
be bored, there exudes from the wound a white, 
sweet liquor, which is collected by the natives in 
pots ; the liquor thus procured is called pahn-winc, 
and is a favourite beverage in the country. It i3 
very sweet when fresh ; kept a few hours, it be- 
comes more poignant and agreeable;^. but the next 
day it begins to grow sour, and in the space of 



91 

twenty-four hours is complete vinegar. The juice 
thus obtained, upon being mixed and fermented 
with molasses, affords a very pleasant wholesome 
spirit, which differs but very little from arrack. 
The tender leaves, before they fully expand, are 
sometimes eaten in place of cabbage, and other cu- 
linary greens ; but as this luxury can be obtained 
only by the destruction of so valuable a tree, it is 
generally thought too expensive a treat, except in 
those parts of the country where the plantations are 
numerous. The kernels of the nuts when broken 
are much used, and esteemed excellent for fattening 
hogs. The tree is propagated by planting the nuts. 

Silk Cotton Tree *, or Ceiha, grows generally in 
the low lands, and rises to the height of eighty, or an 
hundred feet, and sometimes even more, by a straight 
and well proportioned stem. When in bloom it is 
one of the most splendid productions of nature. At 
such season it is entirely crowned with a profusion 
of brilliant flowers of rich and variegated hues, of 
which the colour of the carnation is the most pre- 
dominant. This bloom is suddenly succeeded by a 
multitude of small pods which contain the cotton, 
and that burst when sufficiently ripe. The crop of 
cotton it affords is said to be triennial. The trunk 
of this tree is mujch used in the building of canoes 



* Bomhax Ceiha, Lynn. 

M 



92 

^nd small vessels *. Some of them simply render- 
ed concave, have been known to produce a boat 
capable of containing one hundred persons f. 

Zebra, or Palmer atta-woody also abounds in this 
country |. It is much esteemed in Europe, for making 
Ornamental furniture. There is likewise found here, 
two other trees of nearly the same kind, but I am 
unable to give any description of them ; these are 
the Sabah, and Malata-wood, 

WiiJy Fig-Tree §.^^This monstrous tree is, at 
first, but a weakly climbing plant that raises itself 
by the help of some adjoining trunk, rock or tree ; 
and continues to shoot some slender flexile radicles, 
or appendixes, that embrace the supporter, and 
grows gradually downwards, as the stem increases : 
this at length gains the summit, and begins to shoot 
both branches and radicles or appendixes more lux^ 
uriantly ; these in time reach the ground, throw out 
many smaller arms, take root, and become so many 
stems and supporters to the parent plant ; which 
now begins to enlarge, to throw out new braneheg 
Jind appendixes, and to form a trunk froni the sum- 
mit of its supporter ; which still continues in the 



* Henderson's Honduras, p. 1 1 4'. 

t Edward's History of the West Indies, vol. 1st, p. 2i. 

"I; Wright's Memoir, p. 15. 

§ Fictcs Indica, 



&3 

centre of the first radicles, interwoven in their des- 
cent, and at length augmented and connected gra* 
dually into a common mass or body about the bor^ 
rowed foundation ; which (if a Vegetable) soon be- 
gins to decay, and at length is wholly lost within 
the luxuriant trunk it supported*. This monarch 
of the wood, whose empire extends over Asia and 
Africa, as well as the tropical parts of America, is 
described by our divine poet with great exactness, 

" The fig-tree,^&ot that kind for fruit rendwn'd. 
But such as at this day to Indians known 
In Malabar and Decan, spreads her arras. 
Branching so broad and long, that in the ground 
The bearded twigs take root, and daughters grow 
Above the mother tree, a pillar d shade, 
High oveT'arched, and echoing walhs hehveen I ** 

Pahadise Lost, Book ix. 

Rose Wood f .— This tree grows to a considerable 
size, and is considered as one of the most valuable 
timber trees, but it is not common. The wood is 
white, and of a curled grain when young, but grows 
of a dirty clouded ash- colour with age : it bears an 
excellent polish, and has a fine smell. The younger 
trees, in Jamaica, are frequently cut for firewood in 
the mountains ; they are full of resin, burn very freely, 

* Brown's Natural History of Jamaica, p. 110. 
t Amijris Bahimifcra, Lynn. 

M 2 



94 

and with a most agreeable smell. The wood is heavy, 
and in great vogue among the cabinet-makers. AU 
the parts of this tree are full of w^arm aromatic par- 
ticles, and may be used in baths and fomentations ; 
the berries are oblong, and have the taste of the Bal- 
aam of Copaiba. An infusion of the leaves has a plea- 
sant flavour, is highly cephalic, strengthens the 
jierves, and is particularly restorative to v^reak eyes. 
lu Jamaica there are several species of Amyris, the 
leaves and bark of which yield a fine balsamic juice ; 
and if the body were tapped at the proper season, a 
thick liquor would transude, resembling that of the 
Gilead Balsam, to which the taste of the bark and 
wood of the smaller branches bears a very exact re- 
lation. Dr Wright apprehends that this wood, by 
distillation, would yield a perfume equal to the ole- 
um rhodii. 

Nicaragua- Wood *, is a kind of dye-wood of a 
very bright red colour ; it grows in great abundance 
in the neighbouring province of Nicaragua, from 
whence it derives its name, and is also said to be 
abundant, about the banks of the Bluefield River, 
or Bio de Nueva Segovia, 

Copal Tree f . — This tree produces the valuable 

* Caesalpinia Nicaraguensis. 
t Rhus Copallinum, Linn.. 



95 

gum resin, called Copal, and is a natural exsudation 
from the tree, whichhardens in the air. Itis very com- 
mon in most parts of the Mosquito Shore, and is 
collected in large quantities by the natives for the 
purpose of barter with the foreign traders. 

The best copal is a hard brittle resin, in rounded 
lumps of moderate size, easily reducible to fine pow- 
der, beautifully transparent, but often, like amber, 
containing parts of insects and other small extran- 
eous bodies impacted in its substance. The colour 
of copal is a light lemon yellow, varying to orange ; 
but when dissolved and thinly spread over any 
surface, the colour is scarcely perceptible, and it on- 
ly gives a fine hard, smooth transparent glazing. It 
is this union of hardness and transparency, with 
want of colour, that renders copal so valuable as a 
varnish. 

Capevi-Tree ^, is a lofty and elegant tree, with 
a handsome head ; the smaller branches zig-zag, 
with a nearly smooth, brownish ash-coloured bark. 
The leaves are about four inches long, and the flow*, 
ers are white. This tree produqes one of the most 
valuable and active medicines, called the Balsam of 
Copaiba : to procure it, several incisions, or some- 
times auger holes are made near the ground, pene- 



♦ Cppaifera Officinalis, Linn. 



96 

trating through the bark into the substance of the 
wood, when the balsam flows out in such abun^ 
dance, that sometimes in three hours, twelve pounds 
have been obtained. 

This balsam is colourless when flowing from the 
tree ; after a while it becomes of an amber yellow, 
and considerably viscid, but retains its transparen- 
cy ; it is never known to become perfectly solid. 
The smell of capivi balsam is flagrant and power- 
ful, and its medicinal virtues are held in high esti- 
mation. 

Physic-Nut Tree ^^ or Physic-nut. — This plant 
is very common, and grows to the height of seven 
or eight feet, or better ; but dies after a few years f . 
It is the property of this nut to act upon the human 
system either in the way of emetic or cathartic ; or 
if it be required, powerfully as both ; effects, which 
depend on the "mode of its preparation, and which 
in all ways is intimately understood by the iiihabi'- 
tants. It is very generally considered one of the 
most efficacious antidotes to bile ; and consequently 
must be deemed singularly valuable in a climate, 
where the disposition to such habit is so preva- 
lent J. 



* Jatropha, Linn. 

t Brown's Natural History of Jamaica, p. 34S. 

J Henderson's Honduras, p. 115. 



97 

Lime Tree *. — This is a bushy shrub, and very 
common in America and the West Indies, where 
it is often raised for the sake of its fruit, and not 
ynfrequently planted for fences. When it grows 
luxuriantly, it is seldom under twelve or fourteen 
feet in height, and spreads gre?itly about the top ; 
but it is often 3tunted, ^nd of a smaller stature* 
The juice of the fruit is used, as a principal ingr^- 
4ient in punch : the most appropriated and agreea- 
ble liquor that can be u3ed in any country, whe^e 
the juices ^re pyerheated and in a ferment. 

Sweet Lime TusEf. — This tree grows much 
like the foregoing ; but it rises generally more 
upright, and bears a fruit which in size, as well m 
form, seems to hold a mean between the lime and 
the lemon. The juice ig rather insipid, but never" 
theless, is esteemed much more grateful than that 
of the lemon. It is from this tree that the perfume 
called Bergamot is obtained. As this oil exists pure 
in the peel, being simply deposited in small cells, 
the extraction is easy, either by expression or distil- 
lation. The former is the best, as the oil is not 
liable to be altered by heat ; but more is produced 
by distillation than by expression ; by this mode, 



* Citrux Acris. 
t Citrus, 



98 

two ounces of the oil have been obtained from two 
pounds of the peel *. 

Lemon Tree -j-.^— The varieties of the lemon 
tree are numerous. The St Helena Lemon-tree 
has been introduced into Jamaica, where it is now 
cultivated by most people j on account of its large 
fruit ; one of which, frequently yields above half a 
pint of juice :j:. Lemon juice is one of the sourest, 
and most agreeable of all the vegetable acids. It is 
procured simply by squeezing the fruit, and strain- 
ing the juice through linen or any loose filter. This 
juice forms a considerable article of commerce, and 
is then called the Citric Acid, or Acid of Lemons, 
In the Mediterranean, it is obtained by peeling the 
fruit, slicing it, and putting it in a strong press 
with a cloth or hair strainer. The juice which 
comes out very turbid, is then placed for a day in 
a cool cellar, and then strained into jars with very 
narrow necks, which are then well cemented up. It 
may be preserved in these jars for a considerable 
length of time, by covering it with a thin stratum 
of oil. These presses are sometimes so large as to 
squeeze six thousand lemons at once. Scheele has 



* Moirtlmer's Commercial Dictionary. 

t Citrus Lemon, 

X Brown's Civil and Natural History of Jamaica^ p. 308. 



99 

discovered a process for obtaining the pare cit?ic 
acidy in the form of crystals, which is as follows : 
Saturate boiling lemon juice with chalk in powder, 
^dded gradually, till all effervescence ceases. A 
grey insoluble mass settles to the bottom, composed 
of the citric acid united with the lime, leaving the 
mucilage and other ingredients of the lemon juice in 
the supernatant liquor, which may be thrown away, 
and the citrat of lime is to be well washed with cold 
water, till the latter comes away colourless. Then 
add to the precipitate a quantity of sulphuric acid, 
equal to the weight of the chalk employed, but 
previously diluted with about ten parts of waters 
Boil the whole for a few minutes, and a change of 
composition takes place, the sulphuric acid engag- 
ing the lime, and the citric acid passing into the 
supernatant liquor. Strain off the latter, and eva- 
porate it slowiy to the consistence of a thick syrup, 
and by standing for some days, most of the citric 
acid will separate in large crystals. A small excess 
of sulphuric acid is requisite to enable the citric 
acid to crystallize ; which otherwise, would only 
concrete into a gelatinous mass. 

In preparing the citric acid in the great waj^ 
M. Dize gives the following particulars : After the 
citrat of lime has been decomposed by the sulphuric 
acid, cold water, assisted by stirring, is sufUcient to 
wash out all the citric acid adhering to the sulphat 
of lime, which should therefore be employed, and 

N 



100 

these washings added to the filtered liquor. Much 
sulphat of lime, however, remains in the clear li- 
quor, which, in fact, is a mixture of citric acid, sul- 
phuric acid, and sulphat of hme, and is of a clear 
light yellow. It may be evaporated at a boiling 
heat, and as the bulk of fluid lessens, the sulphat of 
lime falls down, so that it is of use to suspend the 
evaporation once or twice for some hours, to give 
time for the sulphat of lime to separate, which 
should be removed. Towards the end of the eva- 
poration the liquor becomes blackish, owing to the 
sulphuric acid remaining in it, becoming so concen- 
trated as to act partly on the acid itself, and partly, 
as this chemist supposes, on a portion of the origi- 
nal extractive matter which accompanies the citric 
acid, in its combination with lime, and separation 
from it, and which appears to be the cause of the 
difficulty found in getting the whole of the acid to 
crystallize. This acid is so very soluble, that the 
evaporation must be pushed to a very thick syrupy 
consistence before it will crystallize. The crystals 
are at first black and dirty ; by a second solution 
in cold water, of which a small quantity will suffice, 
filtration, and evaporation, the crystals are obtained 
yellow and more regular ; but a third operation of 
the kind seem.s necessary to bring them to be per- 
fectly transparent and colourless. As there is much 
waste in these operations, all the washings and 



101 

fouled parts should be reserved for subsequent puri- 
fication. 

, Seville Orange "*, or Sour Orange. — This 
species grows more bulky and upright, than that of 
the lime-tree, and the juice of its fruit is much 
milder. The rhind is much esteemed in bitters, 
and stomachic wines f . 

Citron-Tree J. — The fruit of this tree is oblong, 
with a very thick and succulent rhind, and makes 
a fine sweet meat. It is sometimes steeped in spi- 
rits ; and to them, when distilled, it > gives both an 
agreeable flavour, and its name. The bark of the 
citron is smoother, and the wood less knotty than 
that of the lemon. In their wild state, some of 
them are said to attain to the height of sixty feet. 

China Orange-Tree §, is a middle-sized tree, 
with a greenish brown bark, with moderately 
sized leaves ; the fruit is sweet, with a smooth 
thin rhind. The orange-tree in general has an 
upright smooth trunk, divided upwards into a 
branchy regular head, and is generally about 

* Citrus Aurantium, Linn, 

t Brown's Natural History of JamniVa. p. SOS. 

X Citrus Tuberosa. 

§ Citrus Aurantium. 

N2 



103 

tv/elve or fifteen feet in height. It is said that 
the finest flavoured fruit is obtained by engraft-? 
ii\'g the China orange on ^a Seville orange stock. 
The flowers of the orange tree have been for a long 
time in great esteem as a perfume. They are high- 
ly odoriferous, and of a somewhat warm, and bitter 
taste. They yield their flavour by infusion to rec- 
tified spirit, and in distillation both to spirit and 
water. An oil distilled from the flowers is brought 
from Italy under the name of oleum, or esseniici 
neralL 

Shaddock Tree ^. — It is said to derive its name 
from a Captain Shaddock, who first brought it from 
the East to the West Indies : it is a middle-sized 
tree, and grows to a much greater height than any 
of the others ; the leaves are ^g^ shaped : the flow- 
ers white, and very odorous : the fruit is very large, 
being in general about eight inches in diameter, of 
a yellowish green colour, even surfaced, twelve cel- 
led or more, containing some a red, others a white 
pulp ; the juice in some sweet, in others acid. 

Forbidden Fruit f , or Smaller Shaddock Tree : 
this species also grows to a more considerable size 
than any of the others. The fruit of these two last 

* Citrus Bectimana 
t Citrus 



103 

species, is agreeable to most palates, and of a plea- 
sant grateful flavour ; but the last excels in sweet- 
ness, while the other partakes a little of the bitter, 
which recommends it to most people. 

AvocATo, or Alligator Pear Tree *. — This tree 
grows commonly to the size of the largest apple 
trees in Europe, and spreads pretty wide at the top. 
The branches^are very succulent and soft ; the leaves 
oblong and veiny, and the fruit of the form of a 
pear ; but the pulp is covered with a tough skinny 
coat, and contains a large rugged seed, which is 
wrapped up in one or two thin membranous covers. 
The fruit of this tree is one of those that is held ii^ 
the greatest esteem ; the pulp is of a pretty firm 
consistence, apd has a delicate rich flavour, some- 
thing resembling that of the Jerusalem artichoke. It is 
generally eaten with pepper and salt ; and is some- 
times called Vegetable marrow. The tree re- 
quires some care, a rich soil, and a warm situation, 
to raise it to perfection. 

Tamarind Tree f . — The trunk of this tree is 
lofty, and of considerable thickness, crowned with 
wide extended branches, bearing bright green leaves: 
the fruit hangs pendulous like large beans. Thi^ 

* Laurus Persea. 

t Tamar Indus Indica, Linn. 




104 

tree is a sensitive in some degree, and closes up .its 
leaves on the approach of cold, or moist and heavy 
air*. It is common in many parts of the country, 
but it is in the island of San Andres, where it is to 
be found in the greatest profusion and perfection. 
It is th« seed pads of this, tree which form and con- 
stitute the preserve called tamarinds, which is sold 
in the shops ^ and is of , such a pulpy acid quality, as 
to be of great use in abating and quenching thirst, 
and in cooling and allaying excessive beat. Tama- 
rinds-are prepared for exportation at Jamaica, in the 
following manner ; the pods are gathered when ful- 
ly ripe, the fruit is taken out of them, cleared from 
the shelly- fragments, and placed in layers in a cask ; 
boiling syrup, just before it begins to granulate, is 
then poured in till the cask is filled. The syrup per- 
vades every part down to the bottom, and when cool, 
the cask is headed for sale. A better mode of pre- 
serving this fruit is with sugar, well clarified with 
eggs, till a transparent syrup is formed, which 
produces a pleasant flavour f . 

GuAVA Tree f . — This shrub rises generally from 
eight to twelve feet in height. It bears a round 
fruit of a moderate size, which is much esteemed 
among the natives : this, while immature, is astrin- 

* Brown's Natural History of Jamaica, p. 125. 
t Mortimer's Commercial Dictionary. 
j: Psidium Gtiajavas, 



105 

gent, like all the other parts of the tree ; but when 
it ripens, it is rather laxative, and is then much u-^ 
sed both in jellies and cream dishes. The wood is 
very tough, and generally used for bows in cattle 
yokes. The fruit mixed with sugar, Peruvian' 
bark, and water ; and left to ferment, makes a cool- 
ing and agreeable drink ; and is much used in this 
way in the province of Socorro in New Grenada, 
where it was usually served up daily at the table of 
General Mac Gregor, when Commandant-General of 
this province, in the year 1813* 

Mangeneel Tree *.— ^This tree is very common 
in most parts of America ; and is generally found in 
sandy watery places near the coast. This is a tall 
and spreading tree, of handsome appearance, com- 
pared by Jacquin to a pear-tree ; it is full of an ac- 
rid milky juice, which is apt to blister and inflame 
the skin ; nay, the dew or rain drops that fall from- 
the leaves, is said to do the same. The fruit is of 
the size of a walnut without the coat, of a yellow- 
ish green, resembling a crab-apple in size and smell ; 
the coat is very thin, and nut large. Brown says, "I 
" have known many people who have ignorantly 
" eaten of the fruit of this tree, which they had ta- 
" ken for crab apples : they generally vomited in a 
" short time, and continued to ccrmplain of a burn- 

* IJqjpomanc Mancinella, Linn, 



108 

" ing heat in the mouth, throat and stomach, for ma- 
** nj hours after. The juice of the buds of the 
" white cedar is esteemed an antidote to this poison^ 
" and is generally used with some success on these 
" occasions ; but oily mixtures, and emulsions, are 
" the most effectual assistants, and seldom fail giv- 
" ing relief soon *." The wood is of a beautiful 
grain, being variegated with several dark colours ; 
it will take a fine polish, and last well : the wood- 
cutters, to guard against its corrosive juices, are o- 
bliged to make a fire round the body of every tree, 
some time before they can venture to fell them. It 
is with the juice of this tree that the Indians used 
to poison their arrows* 



Pimento Tree f , is one of the most elegant pro- 
ductions in nature ; and produces the fruit called 
Allspice, or Jamaica Pepper ^ a production 
which rivals the most valuable spices of the East, 
combining the flavour and properties of many of 
those spices ; and forming (as its popular name 
denotes) an admirable substitute, and succeda- 
nium for them all J. The pimento trees grow 
spontaneously, and in great abundance, in ma- 
ny parts of Jamaica, but more particularly on hilly 
situations near the sea^ on the northern side of that 

* Brown's Natural History of Jamaica;, p. S5l. 

t Myrtus Timentaj Linn. 

X Edward's History of the West Indies, vol. 2d, p. 369. 



107 

island. There is a species of pimento growing ill 
Spanish America, whose berry is larger, weaker in 
its aroma, and consequently inferior in its quality 
to the West Indian. This tree is so entirely the 
child of nature, that not one attempt in fifty to 
propagate the young plants, or to raise them from 
the seeds, in parts of the country where it is not 
found growing spontaneously, has succeeded *. As 
a species of it is a native of Spanish America, and 
as the planting of it sometimes succeeds in Ja- 
maica, I think it is deserving of a fair trial in the ter- 
ritory of Poyais, if only for the domestic use of the 
planter himself. 

The usual method of forming a new pimento 
plantation, (in Jamaica it is called a walk) is nothing 
more than to appropriate a piece of wood land, 
in the neighbourhood of a plantation already exist- 
ing, or in a country where the scattered trees are 
found in a native state, the woods of which being 
fallen, the trees are suffered to remain in the ground 
till they become rotten, and perish. In the course 
of twelve months after the first season, abundance 
of young pimento plants will be found growing 
vigorously in all parts of the land, being without 
doub t, produced from ripe berries scattered there by the 
birds, while the fallen trees, S^-c. afford them both 



* Edward's History of the West Indies, vol. 2d, p. 370. 

o 



108 

shelter and shade *, At the end of two years it 
will be proper to cleanse the land thoroughly, leav- 
ing such only of the pimento trees as have a good 
appearance ; these will then soon form goves, which 
perhaps do not require much attention, after the 
•first four or five years. 

There is hardly in the vegetable creation, a tree 
of greater beauty than a young pimento. The 
trunk, which is of grey colour, smooth and shining, 
and entirely free from bark, rises to the height of 
fifteen or twenty feet. It then branches out on all 
sides, richly clothed with leaves of a deep green, 
which, in the months of July and August, are 
beautifully contrasted and relieved by an exuber- 
ance of white flowers. These leaves are equally frag- 
rant with the fruit; and in distillation yield an 
odoriferous oil,- which is very commonly used in the 
medicinal dispensaries of Europe, for oil of cloves f . 

Soon after the trees are in blossom, the berries be - 
come fit for gathering, the fruit not being suffered 
to ripen on the tree^ as the pulp in that state, is dif- 
ficult to cure. It is impossible, however, to prevent 
some of the ripe berries from mixing with the rest ; 
but if the proportion of them be great, the price of 
the commodity is considerably injured. 

The berries that are fully ripe, lose the aromatic. 

* Edward's History of the West Indies, vol, 2d, p. 370» 
t Ibid, p. 371. 



109 

warmth for which they are so much esteemed, and 
acquire a taste perfectly resembling that of juniper 
berries, which renders them an agreeable food for 
the birds, the most industrious planters of these 
trees, which devouring them greedily, and muting 
the seeds, afterwards propagate these trees in the 
woods. Perhaps these ripe berries might be used 
with advantage in giving a flavour resembling gene- 
va, to the spirit which is distilled from Indian corn. 

It is gathered by the hand ; and one labourer 
on the tree, employed in gathering the small bran- 
ches, will give employment to three below (who 
are generally women and children) in picking the 
berries ; an industrious picker will fill a bag of 70 
lbs. in a day. It is then spread on a terrace, and 
exposed to the sun for about seven days, in the 
course of which it loses its green colour, and be- 
comes of a reddish brown, and when perfectly dry 
it is fit for market. 

In a favourable season, a single pimento tree has 
been known to yield 150 lbs. of the raw fruit, or 
one cwt. of the dried spice ; for there is generally 
a loss of one-third in curing. A plenteous crop, 
however, occurs perhaps but once in five years; 
and the price in the British market fluctuates ac- 
cordingly. 

Some planters kiln-dry the pimento berries wdth 
great success, and it seems indeed a mo^t eligible 
2 



110 

method, where from abundance of the crop, dispatch 
and security against rain are essential. Pimento is us- 
ually imported in bags and casks. As there is so great 
an affinity between this spice, and the true clove, it 
has been proposed as worthy of trial, if the fruit, 
when first formed, or the flowers picked off the tree 
and dried, might not answer the same purpose as the 
Asiatic clove ; the more odoriferous, and smaller the 
berries are, the better they are reckoned. The ber- 
ries have a similarity in smell, and taste, to cloves, 
juniper berries, cinnamon, and pepper, or rather a 
peculiar mixture of somewhat a-kin to all of them, 
whence their name of allspice* 

The exports from Jamaica are about two millions 
of pounds annually. Of this quantity, no inconsi- 
derable part is sold to the Dutch. The South 
Americans frequently mix pimento with their cho- 
colate, and denominate it guayavita. If pimento 
be left, for some time, to soak in good brandy, it 
will yield, by distillation, an odoriferous spirit, 
which, by the addition of a proportionate quantity 
of sugar, may be converted into a most agreeable 
and highly stomatic cordial. 

Anoto ■*, called in commerce Annatto, as also 
Nankeen f ; by the French, Eoucou, and the Spa- 



* Bixa OreUana, Linn. 

i Mortimer's Commercial Dictionary, 



Ill 

niards, Achate. It is procured from the pulp of the 
seed-capsules of the shrub, which grows seven or 
^ightfeet high, and produces oblong hairy pods, some- 
what resembling those of a chesnut. Within these 
.are thirty or forty irregular figured seeds, which are 
enveloped in a pulp of a bright red colour, and un- 
pleasant smell, in appearance like the sort of paint 
called redlead, when mixed up with oil ; and as paint 
was used by some tribes of the Indians, in the same 
manner as woad by the ancient Britons ^. This shrub 
rises with an upright stem to the height of eight or 
ten feet, sending out many branches at top, which 
form a regular head. These are garnished with 
heart-shaped leaves^ ending in a point, which have 
long foot-stalks, and come out without any order. 
The flowers are produced in loose panicles at the end 
of the branches, of a pale peach colour, having large 
petals. It is a native of South America and the 
East and West Indies. 

The method of preparing the anoto for market is 
very simple, and is as follows. The seeds, together 
with the red tough matter that surrounds them, are 
softened in a wooden trough with water, until, by a 
kind of fermentation, which spreads a very nauseous 
smell, and by diligent stirring and pounding, the 
kernels arc separated from the pulp. This mass is 
then strained through a sieve and boiled; upon 

* Edward's Bhijy of the West Indies, vol Sd^ p. S63. 



112 

which ^ thick reddish scum, which is the pigment, 
separates. When skimmed off, it is carefully in- 
spisated in another kettle ; and after being com- 
pletely cool, is moulded in roundish lumps, wrapt 
round with leaves of trees, and packed for sale. 
This drug is preferred by the dyers to indigo, and 
sold one-fourth dearer. The double Glouster cheese 
is coloured with this dye, and some of the Dutch 
farmers use it to give a rich colour to their butter, 
and great quantities are said to be applied to the 
same purpose in the English dairies. The poor people 
use it instead of saffron ; and in South America, it 
is frequently mixed in all their dishes, as well as in 
the composition of chocolate, to which it gives (in 
their opinion) an elegant tincture, and great medi- 
cinal virtues. The liquid sold in London by the 
name of ** Scott's nankeen dye," is said to be an- 
natto, dissolved in water by means of potash*. La- 
bat informs us, that the Indians prepare a dye of 
this sort much superior to that which is brought to 
Europe; of a bright shining red colour, almost e- 
qual to carmine. For this purpose, instead of steep- 
ing and fermenting the seeds in water, they rub 
them with their hands, previously dipt in oil, till 
the pellicles come off and are reduced into a clear 
paste, which is scraped off from the hands with a 
knife, and laid on a clean leaf in the shade to dry* 

* Bancrof't's Philosophy pf Colours. 



113 

Coco Plum-Tree *, is an irregular shrub, grow- 
ing from seven to ten feet high, with a brown or 
russet bark, besprinkled with whitish minute 
spots. The leaves are about two inches long, and 
one and a half broad : the flowers are small and 
whitish, a little villous or cottony on the outside, 
and without smell: the fruit is about the size 
of a damascene plumb ; of these some are black, 
some white ; but no essential difference appears 
in the shrubs that bear them. The fruit is insipid, 
and contains a large nut, marked with five longitu- 
dinal furrows : it incloses a single kernel of a very 
pleasant flavour ; which makes up abundantly for 
the insipidity of the pulp ; and for which it pro- 
bably had been so much esteemed by the native 
Indians '\. When planted in situations not far 
remote from the sea, it continues in flower almost 
the whole year, but generally ripens its fruit in 
June and December. When planted in a dry sunny 
soil, the fruit remains always a dry drupa ; the nut 
being covered only by a thin skin or bark. Its 
root passes for an astringent, and has been em- 
ployed as such in medicine. This shrub is very 
common in the island of San Andres, and gives 
name to a bay on the east side of the island. 



* Chrysobalanus icaco, Linn. 

t Brown's Natural History of Jamaica, p. 2^50. 




114 

Plantane Tree*. — This plant, of which there 
are several varieties, as the Banana f , Dominica, 
&c. is cultivated with great care in all the tro- 
pical regions, w^here the fruit supplies the place of 
bread. It thrives best in a cool, rich, and moist 
soil; and is commonly planted in regular walks or 
fields : it is propagated by the shoots, and plant- 
ed at convenient distances from each other; but 
as the root throws up a number of young lay- 
ers every year, the spaces between the first plants 
are left pretty considerable. The trunk or stem of 
this tree is made up of a small spungy heart, cover- 
ed with the thick fibrous vagina formed by the 
foot-stalks of the leaves, unfolding each other as 
they recede from the centre. But the heart, at 
lengthy shoots above the foliage, and throws out a 
large flower-spike, adorned with a great number of 
blossoms, joined in clusters, and inclosed in their 
several spathce, which are afterwards succeeded by 
so many distinct oblong berries, resembling a large 
cucumber, with a smooth skin, of a light green co- 
lour, and when perfectly ripe, turns to a deep yel- 
low. When these are ripe and fall, or are taken 
oflf, the stem decays gradually, and the root begins 
to throw up young shoots, by which the kind is 
again renewed ; but lest the growth of these should 



* Musa Varadisiaca, Linn. 
i Musa Sapicntmn, Linn. 



115 

be retarded by the exhalaflons^of the old stalk, it is 
usually cut down near the root, when the fruit is 
taken off, which gives a stronger and quicker growth 
to the new plants. Their fruiting in the South 
Sea Islands, is said to be promoted by the use of 
lime and wood-ashes. 

The fruit is used, not only when full grown, but 
before it ripens : it is commonly peeled, and after- 
wards roasted in its skin ; many persons prefer 
them to any other kind of bread, especially when 
young and tender. As the fruit ripens, it becomes 
•soft and sweetish, and is then frequently made into 
tarts, or sliced and fryed with butter^ and thus 
served up in plates. 

The juice of the tree is a very rough astringent ; 
but its cooling leaves are generally used to -dress 
blisters in those parts of the world : and when dried, 
are made into mats of different sorts, or frequently 
employed to stuff matresses ^. 

Aloe Plant f .— The most valuable species of 
aloes is that of the island of Socotra in the East In-. 
dies ; the introduction of which to the West Indies, 
has hitherto been unaccountably neglected. The 
species called the hepatic, is the only sort known to 
the planters there; and the cultivation of which, 



* Browne's Civil and Natural History of Jamaica, p. S63, 
t Aloe. 



116 

is principally confined fo the island of Barbadoes. 
It is propagated by suckers, and will thrive in soils 
the most dry and barren ^. 

It is procured in Jamaica in the following man- 
ner ; — The labourers go into the fields with tubs 
and knives, and cut off the largest and most succu- 
lent leaves close to the stalk : these they put into 
the tubs in an upright position, that the loose liquor 
may be drained from the wound. When this is al- 
most wholly discharged, the leaves are taken out 
singly, and cleared of any juice that may adhere to 
them ; and the liquor is put into shallow flat-bot- 
tomed vessels, and dried gradually in the sun, till 
it acquires a proper consistence f . 

Another method is described by Mr Edwards, 
which is as follows : — The plant is pulled up by 
the roots, and carefully cleansed from the earth, or 
other impurities. It is then sliced, and cut in 
pieces, into small hand-baskets or nets. These nets 
or baskets are put into krge iron boilers or caul- 
drons, with water, and boiled for ten minutes, when 
they are taken out, and fresh parcels supplied, till 
the liquor is strong and black. At this period,^ the 
liquor is thrown through a strainer into a deep vat, 
narrow at bottom, where it is left to cool, and to de- 
posit its feculent parts. Next day the clear liquor is 



* Edwards* History of the West Indies, vol. gd, p. 368,. 
t Dr Browne's Natural History of Jamaica, p. 198. 



117 

drawn off by a cock, and again committed to the 
large iron vessel. At first it is boiled briskly, but 
towards the end the evaporation is slow, and requires 
constant stirring to prevent burning. When it be- 
comes of the consistence of honey, it is poured into 
gourds, or calabashes, for sale, and hardens by age. 
A species of this plant, the Agave, is common 
in all the warm regions of America ; Linneus has 
separated this genus from the aloe. It is a plant 
highly esteemed by the Indians, who make ropes 
and various kinds of cloth from the leaves, as also 
a kind of shoe or sandal, called apargate. The 
fibres of the leaves, separated by bruising and steep- 
ing in water, and afterwards beating them, will make 
a thread for common uses. It also affords an excel- 
lent soap, fit for all the purposes of the laundress *. 

Chaw Stick f . — The bark of this plant is of a 
pleasant bitter taste, and raises a great fermentation 
in the saliva J. This is the common dentrifice of 
the aborigines, from whom the use of it has been 
learned ; and for preserving the teeth pure and de- 
licately white, this simple application perhaps exceeds 
all others. With the natives any appearance of de^ 
cay in this respect very rarely occurs §. 



* Introduction to Jeffery's West India Atlas, p. I9, 
f Rhamnus Guuania. 

X Browne's Natural History of Jamaica, p. l73, 
§ Henderson's Honduras, p. 117. 

p 2 



118 

Palma Christi *.— -This plant has brown stalks 
that divide into two or three branches, and rises ta 
the height of six or seven feet : the leaves are of a 
deep green on both sides, and are unequally serrate ; 
the]dtem is thick jointed, and of a purplish red colour 
upwards. The seed of this plant, is a whitish ker- 
nel enclosed in a brown acrid husk. These seeds 
contain a large quantity of a mild nearly insipid oil, 
which from a third to a fourth of the weight may 
be extracted, and is the common Castor Oil\ of the 
shops. The oil is prepared in two different ways, 
either by simple expression, without previous pre- 
paration, or by decoction* For the latter method, 
the nuts are beaten in deep wooden mortars, and 
thrown into iron boilers filled with water, and slow- 
ly brought to a boiling heat with constant stirring. 
The oil rises as a scum to the top, which is simply 
strained and bottled. According to Dr Wright J, 
the oil thus prepared is much milder than that ob- 
tained by pressure, on account of the mucilaginous 
and acrid part which the compression forces out of 
the nut and mixes with the oil. Genuine castor oil 
is very thick and viscid, of a light amber or straw 
colour, with scarcely any smell or taste. It becomes 
beautifully transparent by subsidence, and a quan- 

* Iilei?ms Communis, Linn. 

+ Oleum Ricini. 

J Medical Journal, 1787= 



119 

tity of mucilage falls slowly to the bottom of the 
vessel *. 

Arrow Root f . — ^It has a stalk and leaf exact- 
ly like the plant caUed Indian Shot J ; but the 
flower differs ; that of the latter being a beautiful 
scarlet, and that of the former milk white : the plant 
grows from a thick fleshy root, and shoots by a sim- 
ple foliated stalk to the height of two or three feet, 
and terminates in a loose and somewhat branched 
flower^ spike. It was called Indian Arrow Root, 
the juice of the root being reputed a remedy for 
wounds inflicted with poisoned arrows, as well as 
against the stings of venomous insects. It is mealy, 
but may be kept perfectly sound for many years, as 
no insect wiU. meddle with it. The root washed, 
pounded fine, and bleached, makes a fine powder 
and starch : It has sometimes been used as food, 
when other provisions were scarce, and is frequently 
administered in infusions to the sick. 



' Ree's New Cyclopaedia, vol. vi. part 2d. 

+ Maranta Arundinacea, Linn. 

X This plant commonly rises about four feet from the ground^ 
and is furnished with large oval leaves near the bottom : the 
top shoots into a simple flower-spike, and is adorned with red 
blossoms, which are succeeded by pretty large oval and echina- 
ted capsulsc containing large round seeds, from the size and 
form of >vhich it derives its present appellation.— ^row?z<?. 



120 

Cassava ^. — This plant, which formerly supplied 
the greatest part of the sustenance of the native In- 
dians, who called it Manihot, is now raised in most 
parts of America. The Spaniards call the plant 
Yucca, and the bread made from its root Casada. 
It is a very beneficial vegetable, and yields an agree- 
able wholesome food ; and this, with its easy growth, 
and hardy nature, recommends it everywhere. It 
shoots from a tough branched lignous root, whose 
slender collateral fibres swell into those fleshy conic 
masses for which the plant is cultivated ; and rises 
by a slender woody knotted stalk, to the height of 
four, five, or six feet, sometimes more. It thrives 
best in a free mixt soil, is propagated by the bud or 
gem, and generally cultivated in the following 
manner. 

The ground laid out for the culture of this plant 
is first cleared, and howed up into shallow holes, of 
about ten or twelve inches square, and seldom above 
three or four inches in depth. A sufficient number 
of full grown stems are then provided, and cut into 
short pieces, of about six or seven inches in length, 
as far as they are found to be tough and lignous, 
and well furnished with prominent, well grown, 
hardy buds : of these one or two are laid in every 
hole, and covered over with mould, from the adjoin- 



Jatropha Mandihoca, 



121 

ing bank ; but care must be taken to keep the 
ground clean until the plants rise to a sufficient 
height to cover the mould and prevent the growth 
of all vi^eaker weeds. The plant grows to perfection 
in about eight months ; but the roots will remain for 
a considerable time, uninjured in the ground, though 
the want of plants, or stormy weather, should 
oblige the cutting of the stalks. The roots are com- 
monly dug up as occasion requires, and prepared for 
use in the following manner, viz. Being first well 
washed and scraped, then rubbed to a pulpy farine 
on iron-graters, they are put into strong linen, or 
palmetto bags, and placed in presses, until the juice is 
entirely expressed. The presses generally used on 
this occasion, are both cheap and effectual; they 
are contrived by placing one or more large fiat 
stones near the root of some convenient tree, in the 
side of which they cut a hole or notch about the 
height of the stones ; and into this they fix the end 
of a strong plank, which is stretched over the fiat 
stones on which the Cassava bags are set ; placing 
as many weights as the strength of the board will bear, 
or may be requisite to express the juice, on the 
other end. The Jarine being taken out and spread 
in the sun for some time, is pounded in large wood- 
en mortars, then run through coarse sieves, and af- 
terwards baked on convenient irons, similar to those 
used for toasting oaten cakes in Scotland. These 



122 

are placed upon the fire, and when hot, gtreWed 
with the sifted meal to whatever size or thicknesa 
people please to have their cakes made ; this agglu- 
tinates as it heats, grows gradually harder, and when 
thoroughly baked, is a wholesome well-tasted bread. 
The juice of the root is sweetish, but more or less 
of a deleterious nature, both fresh and in the putrid 
state ; though it hardly retains any thing of this 
quality while it ferments. What is expressed froia 
the farine is frequently preserved by some people^ 
and prepared for many economic uses : in the boil- 
ing it throws up a thick viscid scum, which is al- 
ways thrown away ; and the remaining fluid (being 
found by long experience to be both wholesome and 
agreeable) is sometimes diluted and kept for com- 
mon drink, and it is thought to resemble whey very 
much in that state. Some use it in sauces for alj 
sorts of fish as v/ell as many other kinds of food ; 
purposes for which it was known to be employed a- 
mong the native Indians, long before any Europedfl 
had landed in those parts of the world ** 

Vanglo, or Oil Plant f . — It was first introduced 
into Jamaica by the Hebrews^ where it is now culti- 
vated in most parts of the island : the seeds ^m 



* Browne's History of Jamaica, p. S^9, 
t Sesamum, Linn. 



123 , 

frequently used in broths by Europeans, but the He- 
brews make them into cakes. The plant is in great 
esteem among many of the Oriental nations, who 
look upon the seeds as a hearty wholesome food ; 
and express an oil from them, that is not unlike, or 
inferior to the oil of almonds. The Sesamum plant 
is cultivated in Carolina with great success ; and it 
is computed there, that nine pounds of this seed 
yields upwards of two pounds of neat oil, which 
they find to grow more mellow and agreeable with 
age ; and to continue without any rancid smell, or 
taste, for many years *. 

Eryngo f , or FiTTWEED. — This plant rises from a 
thick proportioned root, and spreads a good many, 
leaves about the crown, before it throws up a stalk ; 
but as the season advances, it shoots into a branched 
stem, which generally rises to the height of one or 
two feet above the ground, and bears all its flowers 
in roundish radiated heads J. The seeds of this plant 
bruised and taken internally, are considered an in- 
fallible remedy for the bite of the most venomous 
snake. The root is attenuant and deobstruent, and 
is therefore esteemed a good hepatic, uterine, and 
nephritic. Its whole virtue, it is to be observed, 
consists in the external or cortical part. 

• Browne's History of Jamaica, p. 270. 

t Eryngium. 

X Browne's History of Jamaica, p. 185. 

Q 



124 

Tomato *.-i^There are several species ; and the 
berries are often used in soups and sauoes, to which 
they give a very agreeable and grateful flavour : 
they are sometirhes roasted, and then chiefly used 
with mutton : they ate also fried with eggs, and 
served up in single plates. In Spanish America, 
they are much used, particularly in making omelets. 
This fruit is supposed to possess a stimulating, or 
aphrodisac property. The Hebrews in the West In- 
dies, make use of this fruit in almost all their dishes. 
The flowers in these plants grow chiefly on common 
footstalks, and are seldom above seven or eight feet 
together : they are disposed in an alternate and dis- 
tich order, and grow commonly at some distance 
from the alae of the leaves f . 

Guinea Pepper J.— All the species of the Capsi^ 
cum or Indian pepper (as it is called in America) 
have the same general qualities, which are sensible 
in every part of the plant. The fruit is much used 
for culinary purposes, and has long since been intro- 
duced into Europe as a poignant ingredient in soups 
and high seasoned dishes, under the name of Ca^^ 
enne pepper. This pepper derives its name from 
the island of Cayenne ^ in South America, of which 
it is a native. 

* Solatium Lycopersicum, Linn. 

f Browne's History of Jamaica; p. 175. 



\ Capsiarn, 



125 

The species from which the Cayenne is made, is 
called Bird Pepper ; it grows in small tufted bush- 
es, and seldom rises above three feet from the 
ground : but when it meets with a support, shoots 
to a moderate height ; and in shadj places, is fre- 
quently observed to rise many feet from the root. 
The capsulae and seeds of these plants are full of a 
warm acrid oil, and generally prove an agreeable 
seasoning with these sorts of food that require a 
gentle stimulus to promote th^ proper digestion ; 
and irideed, such a stimulus becomes more generallys 
requisite in those warm countries, where a more 
free and constant perspiration seldom fails to pro- 
duce a weakness and langour in the bowels. They 
are used by most people in these colonies, and al- 
ways observed to give an appetite, to help digestion, 
to promote the tonic motion of the viscera ; and in 
more robust habits, is sometimes observed to purge 
with a heat and tension about the podex. In the 
West Indies, there is a mixture made, and called 
Mandram, in which a great deal of this is employ- 
ed, and which seldom fails to prornote an appetite 
in the most languid stomachs. The ingredients are 
sliced cucumbers, eschalots or onions cut very small, 
a little lime-juice, and Madeira wine, with a few 
pods of bird or other pepper well mashed, and 
mixed with the liquor *. 

* Browne's History of Jamaica, p. 177. 

Q 2 



126 

The fruit of the capsicum hacatum gathered 
when ripe, dried in the sun, and then pounded and 
mixed with salt, is kept stopt in bottles, and known 
in the West Indies by the name of Cayenne butter. 
Pepper-pot, according to Miller, is made of the 
same species, or of that variety of it, called minimum. 
Tor this purpose the ripe fruit is first dried in the 
sun, then put into an earthen or stone pot, with a 
layer of ilour between each layer of the fruit, and 
baked in an oven till it is perfectly dried. It is then 
cleaned from the flour, and beaten or grpund to fine 
powder. To every ounce of this powder, a pound 
of wheat flour is added, and the mixture made into 
small cakes with leaven : these are baked, cut into 
small pieces, and baked again till they are as hard 
as biscuit, then beaten into pov/der and sifted. The 
result is the well known Cayenne pepper. 

Vanilla *. — This plant is a climber, and rises 
with great ease, to the tops of the tallest trees. The 
ctalk is moderately slender, and throws out a long 
winding tendril opposite to each of the lower leaves, 
by which it sticks and holds to the branches, or 
bark of the tree : but after it gains the top, these 
become useless, and the place of each is supplied by 
a fellow leaf. It is a parisitic plant, the leaves of 
which greatly resemble the vine, and are about 

* Myrobroma,'^Epldendrtm vanilh, Linn. 



127 

eighteen inches long, and three inches broad. The 
flowers are of a white colour, intermixed with stripes 
of red and yellow. When these faU off they are 
quickly succeeded by the pods, which grow in pairs, 
and are generally of the thickness of a child's fin- 
ger ; they are green at first, grow yellowish after-* 
wards, and turn of a brownish cast as they ripen. 

The sort which is manufactured, grows not only 
in the Bay of Campeachy, but also at Carthagena, 
at the Caracas, Honduras, Darien, and Cayan, at all 
which places the fruit is gathered and preserved ; 
but it is rarely found in any of the English settle- 
ments, if we except Jamaica, though it might easily 
be propagated in them; for the shoots are so full of 
juice, that they will continue fresh, out of the 
ground, for several months. 

When these plants are intended for propagation, 
nothing more is required than to make cuttings of 
three or four joints in length, which should be plant- 
ed in low warm lands, along walls, or at the foot of 
trees, or other props, whereby it may be supported. 

The method used to preserve the fruit, is when it 
turns of a yellow colour, and begins to open, to ga- 
ther it, and lay it in small heaps to ferment two or 
three days, in the same manner as is practised for 
the cocoa pods : care should be taken not to allow 
the pods to remain upon the stalks too long, as they 
then transude a black fragrant balsam, which carries 
off* both the smell and delicacy of the seeds, iox. 



12.8 

which alonp the plant is cultivated. They are a^ 
terwards spread in the sun to dry, and when they 
are about half dried, they flat them with their hands, 
and afterwards rub them over with the oil of Palma 
Cfiristi, or of the Cocoa; then they expose them to 
the sun again to dry, and afterwards they rub them 
over with oil a second time ; then they put them in 
small bundles, covering them with thp leaves of the 
Indian reed to preserve them. These plants pro- 
duce but one crop of fry it in a year, which is cpm- 
monly ripe in May, and fit for gathering, for they 
do not let them remain on the plants to be perfect- 
ly mature. The Spaniards, French, and Italiafis, 
mix them in their chocolate, to which they arc 
thought to give both a delicate smell and an agree- 
able flavour. They are generally looked upon as a 
cooling cordial, a stomachic, and a good nervous me- 
jjicine ; and are sometimes used to perfume snuff's, 
an^ many other substances. 

CowHAGE *, is the celebrated Cow-itch, or Cow^* 
huge, and is much used in this country as a power- 
ful vermifuge f. It bears long magnificent clusters 
of violet coloured flowers. The legumes are densely 
clothed with rigid very pungent barbed bristles, 
causing intolerable itching in the skin, but swallow- 

* Dolichos Pruriens, Linn. 

t Henderson's Honduras, p. 116. 



129 

ed with safety, in the form of a bolus, into the 
stomach, where they act mechanically, so as to des- 
troy all kinds of worms. This medicine may be 
given with great safety in all constitutions, as it 
produces no sensible disturbance ; and as a proof 
that its action is merely mechanical, it may be add- 
ed, that neither the tincture nor decoction of this 
plant has any perceptible effect w^hatever on the 
constitution *. 

Snake Okro f , or as it is sometimes called Ve- 
getable Musk, is very plentiful. The seeds of 
this plant when grown to full maturity, have a 
strong and perfect smell of musk ; a few grains 
being sufficient to perfume a whole room if. The 
seeds of this contain an highly aromatic oil, and 
which when bruised and taken internally, are be- 
lieved to be an infallible remedy for the bite of the 
most venomous snake. An application to the 
wounded part, in the way of poultice, of the same 
kind, is likewise recommended. § It may also be 
used wdth great propriety, instead of musk, in pow- 
ders, pomatums, &c. 



* Rees's Cyelopedia, vol. 1^, p. L 

t Hibiscus Ahelmoschus, Linn. 

"^ Browne's Natural History of Jamaica, p. '^So, 

§ Hendenun's Honduras, p. 1 16. 



J 30 

Okro *. — The pods of this shrubby plant are 
full of nutritive mucilage ; and is the principal 
ingredient in most of the soups and pepper-pots, 
made in America. They are generally boiled se- 
parately, and added just before these messes are taken 
off the fire : but the seeds may be boiled in broth, 
like barley or any other ingredient ; for they are not 
so mucilaginous. The pods boiled and buttered, make 
a rich plate ; but are seldom used in this way, ex- 
cept in private families f . 

CoNTRAYERVA if.— This plant is a climber, and 
rises frequently to a considerable height among the 
neighbouring trees and bushes. The root has a 
strong smell, and is deservedly looked upon as a 
Vi^arm attenuant and an active diaphoretic and 
stomachic ; it is administered in infusions, and great- 
ly used among the slaves in Jamaica §. Another 
species 1| is found in almost every spot about Balize, 
in the Bay of Honduras. A preparation from the root 
of this is known to produce abortion, and is much 
used for such purposes by negro females ^. The 



* Hibiscus. 

t Browne's History of Jamaica, p. 285. 

J Aristolochia Phetruome. 

§ Browne's Natural History of Jamaica, p. 250. 

II Dorstenia Contrayerva, Linn. 

% Henderson*s Honduras; p. 117. 



131 

root is about half an inch thick, full of knots, hard, 
and of a reddish colour. Long tough slender fibres 
shoot out from all sides of it ; these are sometimes 
loaded with knotty excrescences : it is of a pale co- 
lour within, of an astringent taste, bitterish, with a 
light and sweetish kind of acrimony, and has a pe- 
culiar kind of aromatic smell. It was formerly 
much used in medicine, but is now almost neglect- 
ed. 

Foxglove*.— This plant is found about the high 
lands in the bay of Honduras. It derives its bo- 
tanical name from digit ale, the finger of a glove. 
Considerable attention is required in the selection 
and preparation of this plant for medical use. The 
leaves are to be gathered when the flower stems are 
shot up, but before the time of flowering ; and the 
largest and deepest coloured leaves are preferable. 
These are to be carefully dried, and when complete- 
ly crisp and dry, they are to be reduced to powder, 
and kept in bottles closely corked, and not exposed 
to the light. 

SARSAPARiLLAf . — This plant delights in low moist 
grounds, and near the banks of rivers. The roots 
run superficially under the surface of the ground. 



* Digitalis, Linn. 

t Smilax Medicinal, Linn, 



182 

The gatherers have only to loosen the soil a little, 
and to draw out the long fibres with a wooden hook. 
In this manner, they proceed till the whole root i^ 
got out. It is then cleared of the mud, dried, and 
made into bundles. The flower of this plant is yel- 
low^, mixed with red. The fruit is a black berry, 
containing several brown seeds. Its root, which is 
the part in use, divides itself into a great number 
of filaments, three or four feet long, of the thickness 
of a quill ; it is brownish outside, and white within, 
only marked with two red streaks. It is inoderous, 
and has a mucilaginous very slightly bitter taste. 

Sarsaparilla, which is demulcent, and said to be 
diuretic, was first brought into Europe by the Spa- 
niards, about the year 1530, with the character of a 
specific for the cure of the lues venerea, which 
made its appearance a little before that time. The 
method of preparing it by the Spaniards and Indians 
of South America is as follows : they macerate an 
ounce of the root in almost four pints of water, for 
twenty-four hours, and boil it av^^ay to one-half. 
They give of the expressed decoction half a pint 
twice a-day, four hours before their meals, in bed, 
covered with clothes, where they sweat tw^o hours, 
mixing a sufficient quantity of the fine powder of 
the root with each dose of the decoction. They 
purge them every tenth day. The reputation of 
this medicine declined after its introduction into 
Europe ; though it appears from experience, that 



133 

in many cases, strong decoctions of it drank plenti- 
fully, and duly continued, are of very considerable 
service for promoting perspiration, and sweetening 
or purifying the blood and humours. Dr William 
Hunter and Sir W. Fordyce revived its reputation*. 
This plant is obtained in the greatest abundance in 
all parts of the Mosquito Shore ; and in 1769, the 
British settlers exported from hence 200,000 lbs. of 
sarsaparilla f . 

Ipecacuanha J. — There are several sorts of this 
plant found here. The bark of ipecacuanha is said 
to be preferable to its root, as an emetic ; acting 
equally well, and with equal safety, in a smaller 
dose, either in powder, or infusion. The jpecacuance 
radix, is a little wrinkled root about the thickness 
of a quill. The celebrated Mutiz recommends the 
use of this root, as a sovereign cure for the dysen- 
tery, mixed with cascarilla, and I believe a small por- 
tion of opium. There is a species of this plant very 
common in the West Indies, and the southern parts 
of America, which bears a red flower, has a thick 
short stalk of a deep-glossy green colour, full of a 
milky juice, and said to be used by the natives 
for creating abortions. 



» Rees's Cyclopcedia, vol. xxxl. part 2il. 
t Edwards' Account cf the British Settlements on the Mos- 
quito Shore, p. 211. 

X Ijjccacoanha. 

R 2 



134 

Yam * is a large fleshy root, eatable when boiled 
or roasted, and of which there are several species, all 
natives of tropical climates: they are highly useful to 
voyagers, as they will, like potatoes, keep for a con.- 
siderable time without spoiling. It is universally 
cultivated in both the East and West Indies, the 
equinoctial parts of Africa, and in the islands of the 
South Sea ; its roots being no less grateful than whole- 
some, when either boiled or roasted, and used as bread. 
The root is often three feet long, as thick as a man's 
thigh, and sometimes weighs 80 lbs. Its bark is 
black, the internal part white and glutinous, becom- 
ing farinaceous when drest. A favourite dish in 
Otaheite is composed of this root, with the pulp of 
the plantain fruit, and the kernel, or internal part 
of the cocoa-nut grated. It is mealy and easy of 
digestion, being both dry and palatable ; and the 
roots are inferior to none now in use, either in de- 
licacy, flavour, or matter of nourishment f . 

The plants are propagated by the piece ; but these 
must be cut so as to have a little of the skin upon 
them, by which alone they germinate ; for the 
roots have no appsjent gems, but cast out their 
weekly stems from every part of the surface alike. 
They are put into holes, two or three in each, which 
are dug pretty regular, and aboiit a foot and a half 



* Jjioscorea. 

t Browne's History of Jamaica; p. S59, 



135 

or two feet square : these are afterwards filled with 
earth, and the whole covered with cane-trash ; 
which serves to keep the ground cool and fresh, and 
to prevent the growth of weeds, from which these 
plants must he carefully preserved, until they grow 
sufficiently to cover the mould themselves. They 
are planted commonly in August, and are generally 
ripe about November or December following. 
When the roots are dug up, it is necessary to be 
careful not to wound .them, or but as little as pos- 
sible ; for such as are cut throw out their sprouts 
very early, and are seldom fit for any thing but 
planting, if they hold out even till that season comes 
on. After they are dug up, they are rubbed over 
with ashes, and piled regularly on hurdles raised 
above the floor, so that the air may pass freely be^ 
tween them : but when they are heaped in great 
quantities, care should be taken to strew some ashes 
between the layers ^, 

PoTATOE and Potatoe Siipf .— Both these plants 
are now cultivated all over America, and supply the 
poorer sort of people with a great part of their food 
in many places ; they are hardly distinguished by 
the tops, but the roots of the latter are constantly of 
a yellow colour, and those of the former white : th^ 

* Browne's History of Jamaica^ p. 360, 

t Solanum. 



136 

plant rises equally from the bits and slips ; though 
generally propagated by the latter, and is cultivated 
by laying a few short juncks of the stem, or larger 
branches, in shallow interrupted trenches, and cover- 
ing them with the mould from the banks. The 
r6ots grow to full maturity in three or four months, 
and the propagation is continued by covering the 
stems, bits and smaller protuberances with mould as 
they dig up the more perfect bulbs for use. The 
leaves make a very agreeable fodder for sheep, goats, 
hogs, rabbits and horses, upon occasion ; and the 
roots boiled, mashed and fermented, make a plea- 
sant cooling drink *. 

Ginger f. — This grateful aromatic root had a 
very early introduction into Hispaniola, and Acosta 
relates that it was conveyed from the East Indies to 
New Spain by a person named Francisco de Men- 
doza. If such was the fact, the Spanish Americans 
must have entertained very high expectations of 
profit from its culture, and carried it to a great ex- 
tent in a very short space of time ; it appearing from 
the same author, that no less than 22,053 cwt. were 
exported by them to Old Spain in the year 1547. 

Ginger is a knotty, flattish root, of a fibrous sub- 
stance, of a pale or yellowish colour, covered with a 



* Browne's History of Jamaica; p. I5k 

t /Imomiim ZtPgiben 



137 

thin, dusky pellicle, which is usually taken off while 
it is fresh, and before it is brought to Europe. The 
plant does not appear far above the ground ; it puts 
forth long green leaves, somewhat similar to those of 
the leek, and its flowers are red, slightly tinged with 
green. 

There are two sorts of ginger, white and black ; 
of which the former is the most valuable ; but the 
difference arises wholly from the mode of curing ; 
the former being preserved by insolation, and the 
latter by means of boiling water. The Indians are 
fond of ginger; they eat both the young shoots of 
the leaves and the roots themselves, cut small in 
their sallads and broths ; and they make a very fine 
sw^eetmeat of them, preserving them with sugar ; but 
in this case they must be taken up at the end of 
three or four months, while its fibres are tender, and 
full of sap. 

In the cultivation of this root, no greater skill or 
care is required than in the propagation of potatoes 
in Great Britain, and it is planted much in the same 
manner, but is fit for digging only once a-year^ 
unless for the purpose of preserving it in syrup. In 
Jamaica it attains its full height and flowers about 
August or September, and fades about the close of 
the year. When the stalks are entirely withered, 
the roots are in a proper state for digging, which is 
generally performed in the months of January and 
February. After being dug, they are picked, clean- 



138 

sed, and gradually seethed, or scalded in boiling wa- 
ter : they are then spread out, and exposed every 
day to the sun, till sufficiently dried ; and after 
being divided into parcels of about 100 lbs. weight 
each, they are packed in bags for the market : this 
is called the " black ginger'^ White ginger is 
the root of the same plant ; but instead of scalding 
the roots, by which they acquire the dark appear- 
ance of the former, each root is picked, scraped, se- 
parately washed, and afterwards dried with great 
care : by this operation, more than double expence 
is incurred, and the market price is proportionably 
greater. 

Wild Pine ^.— This plant fixes itself, and takes 
root on the body of a tree, commonly in the fork of 
the greater branches of the wild cotton tree. By 
the conformation of its leaves, which have a broad 
hollow base f , it catches and retains water from 
every shower. Each leaf resembles a spout, and 
forms at its base a natural bucket or reservoir, which 
contains about a quart of pure water, where it re- 
mains perfectly secure, both from the wind and the 
sun, yielding refreshment to the thirsty traveller 
in places where water is not otherwise to be pro- 
cured f . 

* Tillandsia Maxima, 

t Browne's Natural History of Jamaica, p. 194-. 

X Edward's History of the West IndieS; vol. Ist^ p. 5Q5. 



139 

Pine Apple ^. — This is a perennial root ; the 
root-leaves are from two to three feet long, and 
from two to three inches broad, channelled, often 
a little glaucous ; the stem is short, cylindiic, thick 
and leafy ; the spike is glomerate, dense, scaly, oval 
or conic, crowned with a tuft of leaves, similar to 
the root and stem leaves, but smaller : the flov/ers 
are bluish, small and scattered upon the common, 
thick, fleshy receptacle ; the germ,, is half buried in 
the substance of the receptacle, which after the 
flowers fall oflf, increases in size, and becomes a suc- 
culent fruit, covered on all sides with small trian- 
gular scales, and resembling the strobile of the 
genus Pi7ius, whence its common English name 
is derived. This root is a native of the tropical 
regions of America, and was found by Columbus 
in all the West India islands. This has always been 
esteemed the richest and best fruit in America : it 
is, in general, agreeable to the stomach ; but thena^ 
tural mellowness of its juic(i renders it more agreea- 
ble to the natives and old standards, than it possi- 
bly can be to new comers, who generally think it 
too rich and cloying. The juice fermented, would 
make a good wine ; it is sometimes mixed with the 
rum liquor, when it ferments, and is thought to 
give it a pleasant flavour f . In South America, a 

* Bromelia Ananas^ Linn. 
t Browne's Natural History of Jamaica, p. 192. 
S 



140 

pleasant drink is made of the pine apple, cut in 
slices, and left to steep for twenty-four hours in 
water, 

PiNGUiN Pine Apple*.— -The leaves of this plant 
are five or six feet long, and the edges very prickly^ 
and these generally arched backwards, which makes 
them extremely hurtful to either man or beast, that 
may chance to fall among them ; and are, for this 
reason, generally used in all the fences and inclosures 
round the country f . The fruits of this plant are 
separate,^ and each nearly of the size of a walnut; 
the pulp has an agreeable sweetness, joined with such 
a sharpness, that if you make much use of it, or let 
it lie for any time in the mouth, it will corrode the 
palate and gums, so as to make the blood ouze from 
those tender parts J. The leaves of all the different 
gorts of Bromelia, (but this in particular) being 
stripped of the pulp, yields a strong thready sub- 
stance not much inferior to hemp, which is fre- 
quently made into ropes, whips, 8tc. ; and by the 
Spaniards into hammocks. 

Gourd §.^^This plant is cultivated chiefly on 



* Bromelia Pingztin, Linn. 

f Browne's Natural History of Jamaica, p. 195, 

i Ibid. 

§ Cucnrbila. 



ML 

account of the lignous shell of its fruit, which growi 
frequently large enough to contain between twenty 
and thirty quarts. Where aloes is manufactured in 
any quantity, it is commonly preseryed in these 
shells* They are also used to hold water and small 
grain *. 

Scotch Grass f .— This plant is cultivated, and 
thrives very luxviriantly in all the low and marshy 
lands of Jamaica, where it is now almost universally 
used as fodder for all their stabled cattle: it is 
planted near the towns with great care, and found 
to be one of the most beneficial productions of the 
island ; it is propagated by the joints or root, and 
set in small drilled holes placed about two feet and 
a half asimder ; the young shoots begin to appear 
in a few days, and as they grow, they spread and 
creep along the ground, casting a few roots, and 
throwing out fresh shoots from every joint, as they 
run ; they soon Supply the land, and fill the field 
with standing plants, the only that are generally 
cut. It rises variously according to the moisture 
and luxuriance of the soil, but its general growth is 
from two to four feet, and is fit to cut in six months 
from the first planting, and every month or six 
weeks after, if the seasons are favourable, and pro^ 

* Browne's Natural History of Jamaica, p. 35i, 
t Panicum hirlellum, Linn. 

S2 



142- 

per care taken to keep the ground free from weeds. 
An acre of good land well stocked with this plant, 
in the vicinity of Kingston, is computed to bring in 
above a hundred and twenty pounds a-year ; and is 
not attended with so much expence or so many in- 
conveniences as when cultivated with any of the 
other productions of the Island 5 for being once 
planted, it holds many years ; but when the main 
stalk or root grows hard and lignous, the young 
shoots do not push so luxuriantly, and they are then 
obliged to be planted anew ; this however is very 
easy, as it is done gradually, for they generally sup- 
ply the pieces as they clean them, and throw up 
every stubbed or failing root they find, planting a 
few joints in its place *. From a single acre of this 
plant, five horses may be maintained a whole year, 
allowing fifty-six pounds of grass a-day to each f . 

Guinea Grass J. — This plant, like the Scotch 
grass, is also much cultivated in Jamaica. It is 
planted, like the other, by the joint or gem, and 
also by the root ; but does not require near so much 
moisture, and is reckoned a more hearty fodder §. 
" This plant may be considered as next to the sugar 
*' cane in point of importance ; as most of the 

* Browne's History of Jamaica, p. 133. 

t Edwards' History of the West Indies, vol. 1. p. 253. 

:|: Holcus, 

§ Browne's History of Jamaica; p. 366, 



143 

" grazing and breeding farms thoughout the island, 
" were originally created, and are still supported, 
" chiefly by means of this invaluable herbage. 
" Hence the plenty of horned cattle, both for the 
" butcher and planter, is such that few markets in 
" Europe, furnish beef at a cheaper rate, or of bet-^ 
" ter quality, than those of Jamaica *," 



Edwards* History of Jamaica, vol. 1 . p. 253, 



144 



QUADEUPEDS. 

Horse* .-r^This noble animal is found in consider- 
able numbers in this country ; in the interior there 
are droves of them^, sometimes containing three or 
four hundred head. Their price is from 12 to 15 dol- 
lars per head, or from £2 10s. to £3 Sterling. They 
are generally small, but very sure footed and hardy, 
which renders them extremely fit for those moun- 
tainous lands : and their hoofs are so hard that they 
seldom require shoes ; but this is the effect of the 
heat of the country and dryness of the land in gene- 
ral. The horses found in this country are without 
doubt of Spanish origin ; but many of them have a 
mixture of the English breed ; in consequence of 
some horses of that nation having been imported in- 
to the country, during the time that the British 
were in possession of the Mosquito Shore* - 

Ox and Cow f ; these are to be had in great numbers 
in this country : there are many large herds of them ; 
and at Plantain River, on the property of General Ro- 
binson, there is a herd of at least 500 head, as large 
and fine, as are to be found in any part of the world. 



EquHs> t Bos, 



145 

The breed in this country, is undoubtedly of Spa- 
nish origin, and perhaps mixed with the English; 
some of which were no doubt imported into the 
Mosquito territory, when in possession of that nation. 
Many of them are to be found wild in the interior. 
The usual price of a tame ox, or even of a cow 
with its calf, very rarely exceeds from 12 to 15 dol- 
lars a-head, or about £2 lOs. to £3 sterling. Cow 
milk is generally very thin in those parts of the 
world, and tastes frequently rancid, especially wheti 
they feed in the lower lands, where the accaeia and 
the Guinea Head weed grow in plenty ; neverthe- 
less, in the mountainous situations they yield sweet 
milk, and good butter is sometimes made from it. 
" Within the Spanish territory in particular, nature 
" has supplied a rich and almost boundless pasturage, 
*' and where the numbers of cattle and horseis raised 
" is prodigious. Many of the latter, so little are 
" they regarded, return to a state of wildness, and 
" associate in immense droves, from which it fre- 
** quently becomes a task of much difficulty and 
" danger to reclaim them *.*' The British settlers, 
while resident at Black Biver, formerly used to ob- 
tain both horses and cattle from the Spaniards in 
exchange for merchandise. 

Considerable quantities oHasajo ; the flesh of cat- 
tle cut up into long shreds, slightly salted, and 
dried in the sun, are imported into the island of St 

* Henderson's Honduras^ p. 120, 



146 

Thomas from the River Plata ; and from whence, 
after a certificate has been obtained of its having 
been landed, it is again re-exported to the Havana ; 
where it sells for 14 dollars, and even sometimes for 
18 dollars per cwt. 

Tasajo are bundles of flesh, rolled up and tied fast, 
which is done by slicing off all the flesh from the 
bone with a knife, in long thin narrow stripes. It 
is then salted and hung up on posts, or between 
two trees to dry, being left exposed to the wind and 
weather for a whole week ; it is then hung up and 
smoaked for another week, and afterwards rolled up 
in small bundles, which in time becomes almost as 
hard as stone *. When it is to be used it is washed, 
beat with a mallet, and either boiled or stewed ; it 
is not unpleasant to the taste. 

Cattle, it is supposed, can be had in considerable 
numbers from the Spaniards in the back country, at 
the moderate price of 4 dollars per head. In conse- 
quence of the scarcity of cattle on the Spanish Main 
and in the West Indies, it is said that Messrs Cav- 
an and Co. of Barbadoes, the contractors for sup- 
jplying the British Army and Navy with provisions, 
have been compelled to send to Ireland and the 
Cape de Verd Islands for cattle : the passage from 
Poyais to the Windward Islands, may be estimated 
at about thirty days at farthest, and this country 

* A New Survey of the West Indies, &c. by Thomas Gage^ 
London^ 1648, p. 143, 



147 

could supply annually, without detriment, from 
1200 to 2000 head of cattle^ besides any quantity 
of green turtle, 

Buffalo *. — 1 insert this animal on the authority 
of Captain Wright f. It is probably the Bison 
of America. ** The bunched ox, or wild bison, 
" (according to BufFon), appears to have inhabited 
" the northern parts of America only, as Virginia, 
" Florida, the country of the Illionois, Louisiana, 
" Stc. ; for though Hernandez calls it the Meooican 
" Bull, we learn from a passage of Antonio de Solis, 
**^ that this ^imal was a stranger in Mexico," &c, - 
The following is a literal translation from de Solis Xi 
of the passage alluded to by BufFon, who formed 
bis opinion from a French copy of the work. " In 
" the second court of the same house, were the wild 
" beasts, which had been presented to Montezuma, 
" Or taken by his huntsmen, in strong wooden ca-^ 
" geg, well arranged, and under cover ; lions, ti-» 
" gers, bears, and all kinds of wild beasts, the pro- 
" duction of New Spain ; among which the great- 
" est novelty was the Mexican Bull, extraordinary 
" curious, being composed of various animals, 
" crooked, with a bunch on his back, and the 
" shoulder curved like a camel, the flank meagre,- 

* Bos Bubalus, Linn, 
t Wright's Memoir, p. 15. 

X La Historia de la conquista, &c. de la Nueva Espana, por 
Don Antono de Solis, Madrid 1684, p. 240. 

T 



148 

"the tail large, and the neck covered with hair 
" like the lion ; the foot cloven, and the forehead 
" iarmed like a bull, whose ferocity it imitates with 
" equal activity and execution *. " 

Mules f , are sometimes obtained from the Spanish 
settlers in the back country ; and are more valuable 
than any other cattle in these hilly countries ; and 
the most generally used both for carriage and the 
mill in all mountainous estates. 

Hogs f.— These animals, when tame, differ in no- 
thing from those of the same sort, commonly seen 
in Europe, being generally bred and raised in the 
same manner. The Guinea Hog §, though a small 
sort, answers best in America, for it breeds a great- 
er number of pigs than any other kind, and these 
very rich and delicate : but the old ones are so fat, 
that none, except the boars, are ever brought to 
table Ij. 

Pecarry^, or Mexican Hog. The tusks of 

• Probably the animal, which Captain Wright calls the Buf* 
falo, is nothing more than the Wild Bull now so numerous on 
the continent of America, and which are said to have sprung 
from one bull and seven cows which were carried thither by 
some of the first conquerors. 

+ Equs Asinus Mulus, Linn. 

X Sus. 

§ Sus Porcus. 

\\ Browne's Natural History of Jamaica, p. 487, 

H Sus Tajasiu, Linn. 



149 

this species are scarcely conspicuous when the 
mouth is shut ; the ears are short, erect, pointed ; 
the eyes are sunk in the head ; the neck is short 
and thick ; the bristles are nearly as large as those 
of the hedge-hog, longest on the neck and back ; in 
colour it is hoary, black, annulate with white ; from 
the shoulders to the breast is a collar of white. In 
size and figure, this animal bears an imperfect re- 
semblance to the hog of China ; it has no tail. On 
the back of this animal is placed a glandulous ori- 
fice, which has furnished a very common belief 
that in this part of it the navel is situated. From 
this gland on the back, constantly distils a thin fe- 
tid liquor, which is the most remarkable peculiarity 
of this species. If killed in the night, provided the 
gland on the back be taken off, and the liquor which 
it secretes, carefully washed away at the instant of 
death, the flesh of the Mexican hog is considered 
agreeable food, and is esteemed good either fresh or 
salted. Though existing in a wild state, they are 
susceptible of domestication, but nothing can over- 
come their natural stupidity. They grunt with a 
stronger and harsher voice than the hogs of Asia arid 
Europe ; their chief food is fruit, seeds, and roots ; 
but they will devour with great eagerness serpents, 
toads, and lizards ; and they display great dexterity 
in tearing off the skins of these reptiles ; but they 
do not wallow, and become fat, like the common 
hog. They produce a number of young at each lit- 

T 2 



150 

ter, and the mother treats them with the tenderness 
^nd solicitous care of a kind parent. 

Waree *, palled by some the hog of the Isth- 
mus of Darien 5 and an opinion has been suggested, 
that it inay oiily be the European hog run wild f ; 
they are very fierce : and if not wounded in any 
principal part, generally return with great fury upon 
the assailant, who is obliged to climb into some 
neighbouring tree to avoid the fury of the beast. 
The approach of these animals may be heard in the 
-lyoods at a great distance, by the loud and clamorous 
jioise they usually make. 

GiBEpNiTE J,-^This is a small animal greatly re- 
gembling, though somewhat larger than the guinea- 
pig. It is plentifully found at Honduras, and easily 
domesticated. The flesh of it is extolled as a pecu- 
liar delicacy §. This animal is near two feet in 
length ; the form thick and clumsy, and bearing 
some resemblance to that of a pig, for which reason 
it has sometimes been called the hog-rabbit. The 
head is round ; the muzzle short and black ; the 
upper jaw longer than the lower ; and the lip divid- 
ed like that of the hare : the nostrils are large, the 

* Sus Americensis, 
+ Henderson's Honduras, p. 124. 
X Cavia Paca—Mus Paca, Linn, 
f HendfKon's Honduras^ p. 124. 



151 

whiskers long ; the eyes large and prominent, and of 
a brovi^n colour ; the ears short, moderately large, 
round, and naked ; the neck thick ; the body very 
plump, larger behind than before, and covered with 
coarse, short, thinly scattered hair of a dusky brown 
colour, deepest on the back : the throat, breast, in- 
sides of the limbs and belly, dingy white ; and on 
each side of the body are five longitudinal series of 
roundish, or slightly angular spots, situated contigu- 
ous to each other. The legs are short, and the feet 
have five toes, four of which are armed with strong 
and sharp claws ; that on the fifth toe being very 
small. The tail consists merely of a small conic 
projection, not more than half an inch in length. 
The female is said to produce but one young at a 
birth, 

Indian Coney * This animal, which has some, 

times been confounded with the former, is of the size 
of the rabbit ; the body plump, and thicker behind than 
before ; the head rather small and somewhat com- 
pressed laterally ; snout long and rather sharp ; nose di«> 
vided at the tip ; and the upper jaw longer than the 
lower ; ears short, broad, naked, and rounded ; neck 
rather long, but thick ; legs thin, almost naked and 
blackish ; the hind legs larger than the anterior ones, 

and furnished with only three toes ; tail extremely 

- 

* Cavia Agiitu^^Mus Aguti, Linn. 



152 

short, naked, and sometimes scarcely visible ; the 
whole of the animal covered with hard, strong, and 
shining hair, in general of a rufous brovm colour 
with blackish freckles ; rump orange coloured. 
Authors mention three varieties, viz. The lesser 
Agouti, or cavia aguh cunicularis ; the larger 
Agouti, or cavia agouti leporina ; the American 
Agouti, cavia agouti Americana. 

Buffon observes, that the agouti has the hair, grunt- 
ing, and voracious appetite of the hog; and v/hen fully 
satiated, hides the remainder of its food like the fox, 
in different places. It takes delight in gnawing and 
spoihng whatever it comes near. When irritated, 
it bites fiercely; its hau: stands erect along the 
back, and it strikes the ground violently with its 
hind feet. It does not, he remarks, dig holes like 
the rabbit, but lives in the hollows of trees. Roots, 
potatoes, yams, and fruits, are its principal food. 
It uses its fore paws, like the squirrel, in carrying 
food to its mouth ; runs swiftly up hill, or on even 
ground ; but its fore paws being shorter than its 
hinder ones, it is in danger of falling upon a decli- 
vity. The flesh of the agouti being nearly as good 
as that of the rabbit, and the skin of such a durable 
quality, as to form an excellent Upper leather for 
shoes : the hunting of these animals is an object of 
attention among the Indians. They commonly go 
in search of them with dogs, or take them in traps ; 
the natives know also how to allure them by v/hist-- 



153 

ling or imitating their cries, and kill as many as 
they please. The young agouti is easily tamed. 
When in a wild state, they generally dwell in the 
woods, where the female chooses the most obscure 
parts, and there prepares a bed of leaves and grass 
for her young. She usually brings forth two or 
three at a time, and in a day or two afterwards, she 
carries them in her mouth like a cat, into a hollow 
of some tree, where she suckles them for a short 
space of time, and they are soon in a condition to 
run about and provide for themselves. They mul- 
tiply as fast as rabbits, producing three, four, and 
sometimes five young ones, during every season of 
the year. When in a domestic state, they never 
remove to any great distance, and always return to 
the house ; but constantly retain somewhat of their 
wild disposition. 

Henderson says, " this animal, in size, form, and 
" habit, is very like the hare. It does not run, but 
" leaps ; and whilst in the act of listening, it rears 
" itself on the hind legs, exactly in the same way. 
** The meat of it is wholesome, but exceedingly 
" dry *." 

TiGERf , called also the Jaguar oi American Tigef\ 
The colour of this animal is a bright tawny ; the 
upper part of the head striped with black ; the sides 

* Henderson's Honduras, p. 123. 
t Felts Onca, 



154 

beautifully variegated with irregular oblong ocollat 
spots ; the thighs and legs are variegated with black 
spots without central spaces ; breast and belly, 
whitish ; tail not so long as the body, above marked 
with large black spots in an irregular manner, be- 
neath with smaller spots. It grows to the size of 
the wolf, and sometimes even larger. The female 
is supposed to produce only two young at a birth. 
The Jaguar " often commits the most open and 
*• daring outrages on the plantations of the settlers. 
**^ Sheep, goats, and hogs, are the particular objects 
" of its depredations. Reports are also given, that 
" it has sometimes attacked man, but it is consider- 
** ed that such are unfounded ; for it fortunately 
" happens, that the otherwise established reputation 
" for courage in this animal is usually found defi- 
•* cient in this respect *." It runs swiftly, and by 
means of its talons, ascends the loftiest and smooth- 
est trees, with a facility that is inconceivable, when 
in pursuit of quadrupeds, that endeavour, by climb- 
ing up the trees, to effect their escape. 

Black TioERf .— This resembles the former pretty 
nearly, except in colour, which is dusky, and in ge- 
neral plain. The throat, belly, and inside of the 
legs, are pale-ash ; the upper lip white, and furnish- 



* Henderson's Honduras, p. 120. 
t Felts Discolor. 



155 

ed with long whiskers, and the eye-brows beset 
with long hairs ; at each corner of the mouth is a 
black spot; the ears are sharp -pointed, and the 
paws white. The tail is of the same colour with the 
rest of the body. " The Black Tiger, w4iich is 
" deemed much the fiercest, is but rarely discbver- 
" ed ■*." It grows to the size of an heifer of a year 
old, and is remarkable for its strength ; its form is 
rather slender. M. de la Borde relates of the black 
tigers, that they frequent the sea shore, and eat the 
eggs deposited there by the turtles. They also de- 
vour alligators, lizards, and fishes, and sometimes 
the buds and tender leaves of the Indian fig. 

Mexican Catj , or Ocelot, is common, and proves 
destructive to the smaller kinds of stock, such as 
poultry, 6tc. :|: It greatly resembles the common 
cat, but is three or four times its size, measuring in 
length about four feet, and its height two feet 
and a half. In the variety of its markings, as well 
as colours, the ocelot is extremely beautiful, the 
male especially. The general colour is bright tawny 
above, with the breast, belly, and lower part of the 
sides, together with the limbs, white. A black 
stripe extends from the top of the head, along the 

• Henderson's Honduras, p. 121. 

+ Felis Pardalis. 

X Henderson'^ Honduras, p, 121, 

u 



156 

back, to the origin of the tail ; the forehead is spot- 
ted with black, as are also the legs ; the shoulders, 
back, and rump, are finely variegated with ovate 
blotches, and interrupted longitudinal bands of a 
deeper tinge than the ground colour, the edges of 
which are black ; the spots are generally marked in 
the middle with a single spot of black, the stripes 
with a series of black dots disposed at nearly an 
equal distance from each other. The tail is diver- 
sified with blotches of an irregular form, and black 
at the tip. In the female, the fur is neither so 
Tivid in colour, nor so beautiful in variety. The 
Mexican cat, though voracious and fierce, is of a 
timid nature, and so afraid of dogs, that when pur- 
sued by them, it flies to the woods for safety. It 
never leaves its lurking places in the day time, nor 
eten in the night, when the moon shines ; it is under 
the obscurity of the darkest nights, and when the 
weather is tempestuous, that it ventures so far as 
the neighbouring farms in quest of prey. The fe- 
male is said to have about two young ones at a 
litter. 

CouGOUAR *, or Puma, and sometimes called the 
American lion, is the largest of the beasts of prey 
known to inhabit the new continent, measuring in 
length rather more than five feet from the nose to 

* Fdis Con color. 



157 

the tail, and the tail itself measuring in length two 
feet eight inches. The form is slender, the body 
being long, and the animal standing high on his 
legs. The predominant colour is pale brownish red, 
inclining in some parts to blackish, especially on 
the back, which is darkest. This is an animal of 
great strength and fierceness, preying on cattle and 
deer ; to attack which, it will swim rivers, and burst 
through the bounds of inclosures ; notwithstanding 
which, when brought into captivity, it becomes al- 
most as gentle as the common cat, allowing itself to 
be caressed, and even permitting boys to mount its 
back. The fur is soft ; and the flesh, w^hich is 
white, is eaten by the Indians, who esteem it ex- 
cellent food. 

Leopard '^, — This animal is about the size of a 
grey-hound, the usual length being about three feet 
and a half; the head is small, the body long, the 
ears short, and the tail about twenty inches. The 
body is of a light tawny brown colour above, mark- 
ed with small round black spots, which are scatter- 
ed over the back, sides, head, and legs ; the belly 
is white, and the tail marked on the upper side with 
three large black spots. This animal is particularly 
distinguished from every other of the same tribe, 
by having the mane on the collar and between the 



* Fdis Jubala, 

U 2 



158 

shoulders, a character no other animal of this genus 
is knov/n to possess ; the hairs which constitute the 
mane are about five inches long, and sufficiently 
copious to be distinguished. 

Deer ^. — This species is of the size of the common 
or European Hoebuck, and of a reddish colour, but 
when young, is often spotted with white. The 
horns are thick, strong, and rugged ; they bend for- 
ward, are about ten inches long, and trifurcated at 
the upper part, but vary sometimes in the number 
of processes. The head is large ; eyes large and 
bright, and the neck thick. " The meat this animal 
" affoitls is alvf ays found extremely poor, which may 
" most probably be attributed to the very harassed 
" life so timid and inoffensive a creature is forced to 
** undergo f ." The deer are very numerous in this 
country, and the hunting of them is one of the fa- 
vourite occupations of the Indians. In the adjoin- 
ing provinces of Guatemala, it is said that when the 
Indians have killed a deer, they let it lie in the 
woods or in some hole, covered with leaves for the 
space of about a week, until it stinks and becomes 
full of worms : they then bring it home, cut it into 
joints, aud parboil it with an herb which groweth 



* Cervus Mexicanus. 

t Plendersoii'o 4.ccoiint of the British Setllement of Hondu* 
ras, p.. 122. 



159 

there, and greatly resembles Tanzy, which 
sweeteneth it again, and makes the flesh eat tender, 
and as white as a piece of turkey. Thus parboiled, 
they hang up the joints in the smoke for a while, 
and then boil it again, when they eat it, which is 
commonly dressed with Indian pepper : it is found 
to eat white and short ; and this is the venison of 
the natives ^. 

Antelope f , or Gazelle, is a most beautiful little 
creature, about half the size of the deer J. Natural- 
ists assert, that none of the numerous species of this 
genus are found in America ; they are mostly con- 
fined to Asia and Africa, inhabiting the hottest re- 
gions of the Old World, or the temperate near the 
tropics. " If the animal in question, however, and 
*' which in this country is not known by any other 
" name, be not a member of this tribe, it might be 
*' difficult to point out to what other class it should 
" properly belong. The resemblance, as far as de- 
" scription can be relied on, is in every respect es- 
" sentially the same §." The following is the de- 
scription of the Dorcas, the species of Antelope, 



» A New Survey of the West Indies, &c. by Thomas Gage, 
London, 1648, p. 113. 
t Anlilope Dorcas, Linn. 
% Hendorsoii'b Honduras, p. 122. 
§ Ibid. 



160 

supposed to inhabit this country. It has its horns, 
which are about 12 inches long, and surrounded by 
13 prominent rings, bent in form of a lyre ; the up- 
per parts of the body reddish brown, the under parts 
and buttocks white, and both divided by a dusky 
line along the sides ; the knees furnished with a long 
brush or tuft of hair ; the tail short, covered with 
long blackish hairs, and white underneath. This 
animal is about half the size of a fallow deer : goes 
in large flocks, is easily tamed, though naturally 
very timid, and its flesh is reckoned excellent food. 
Mr Pennant, in the Synopsis of Quadrupeds, says, 
" As there appears a general agreement in the na- 
" ture of the species that form this great genus 
" (Caprd), it will prevent needless repetition to ob- 
" serve, that the antelopes are animals generally of 
" a most elegant and active make ; of a restless and 
" timid disposition ; extremely watchful ; of great 
" vivacity ; remarkably swift and agile, and most 
" of their boundings so light, so elastic, as to strike 
" the spectator with astonishment. " — " Antelopes 
*' generally reside in hilly countries, though some 
*' inhabit plains ; they often brouse like the goats, 
" and feed on the tender shoots of trees, which 
" gives their flesh an excellent flavour. This is to 
** be understood of those taken in the chase ; for 
" those which are fattened in houses are far less de- 
" licious. The flesh of some species is said to taste 



161 

" of musk, which perhaps depends on the qualities 
" of the plants they feed upon." — 

" This preface was thought necessary, to point 
*' out the difference in nature between this and the 
" goat kind, with which most systematic writers have 
" classed the antelopes ; but the antelope forms an 
" intermediate genus, a link between the goat and 
" the deer, agreeing with the former in the texture 
" of the horns, which have a core in them, and are 
** never cast ; and with the latter in elegance and 
" swiftness *." 

Armadillo f.—^There are three species of this 
curious animal found here ; the three, eight, and 
nine handed. The armadillos are of a gentle dis- 
position, and inhabit subterraneous retreats or bur- 
rows, which they easily excavate by means of their 
large and strong claws. They are said to feed on 
roots, melons, yams, grain, flesh, insects and worms ; 
an opinion, says Henderson, that has in some degree 
been contradicted by observation J. The armadil- 
lo forms another luxury of the table in this country. 
Molina says, the flesh is more delicate than that of 
the Guinea pig ; it is only, however, the young ar- 
madillos which are in request, for as they grow old, 
the flesh acquires a strong musky scent, which ren- 



• Pennant's Synopsis of Quadrupeds. t Dasi/pus, 

t Henderson's Honduras, p. 12G. 



162 

ders them very disagreeable. All the species are 
easily tamed, and are a most inoffensive little animal. 
But in this state they seldom long exist ; a circum- 
stance that is chiefly believed to be owing to the 
difficulty of supplying them with the kind of food 
to which they have been accustomed, and which 
principally consists of the insects found in the de- 
cayed roots of trees ^. We shall give a short descrip- 
tion of each species according to the number of bands. 

Three-Banded Armadillo f . — This species, the 
Tatu Apara of Marcgrave, is one of the most ele- 
gant species of the armadillo ; its colour is a clear 
yellowish white ; the head, shoulders, and posterior 
part of the body, are coated with regular hexagonal 
divisions, curiously studded or tuberculated on the 
surface, and the zones of the body are extremely 
distinct ; the tail is thick and short ; the legs are 
covered with hexagonal divisions or segments, simi- 
lar to those on the shoulders, but smaller ; the ears 
are rather large ; and the claws smaller than in most 
other species. Marcgrave says, that when the crea- 
ture lies down to sleep, or when touched by any 
person, he gathers his feet together, puts his head 
below his belly, and makes the whole body so per- 



* Henderson's Honduras, p. 125= 
t Dasypus Trkinchis, Linn. 



163 

fectly round, that he has more the appearance of a 
sea-shell than of a land anitnah 

Eight-Banded Armadillo *.— This armadillo 
has upright ears, two inches long ; the head is small, 
the muzzle sharp, the ears erect, and the eyes small 
and black ; there are four toes on the fore, and five 
on the hind-feet ; the head is covered with a hth 
met, the shoulders and rump with two shields, and 
the body with a cuirass, composed of eight moveable 
bands, connected to each other and to the two shields 
by nine junctures of flexible skin. The tail is like^ 
wise covered with eight moveable rings of crust, and 
nine joints of flexible skin. The colour of the cui- 
rass on the back is of an iron grey, and the flanks 
and tail are of a whitish grey mixed with spots of 
iron grey. The belly is covered with a whitish^ 
granulated skin, interspersed with some hairs f. 
The crust is not very hard ; for the smallest shot 
pierces it and kills the animal, whose flesh is white 
and esteemed delicious. 

Nine-Banded Armadillo f . — This species has 
long ears. The crust on the shoulders and rump is 
marked with hexangular figures. There are nine 



• Dasypus Odocmctus, Linn* 
t BufFon. 

i Dasypus Novemcinctus, Linn. 
X 



164 

bands on the sides, distinguished by transverse cunei- 
form marks. - The breast and belly are covered with 
long hairs. There are four toes on the fore feet, and 
five on the hind. The tail is long and taper. The 
length of the whole animal is three feet *. Buffon 
is of opinion, that the nine-banded armadillo is not 
a distinct species from the eight-banded ; for, in 
every other respect, they seem to have a perfect re- 
semblance to each other. He therefore supposes 
that the number of bands, in this species, constitute 
not a specific, but a sexual difference : the eight- 
banded one he conceives to be the male. Dr Shaw, 
in his remarks on the variations that take place on 
the nine-banded armadillo, is of the same opinion as 
Buffon. It is not improbable, that a greater num- 
ber of rows and of bands may be necessary for fkcili- 
tating the gestation and delivery of the females f . 
The flesh of this species is delicate. 

-Quash J. — This animal is also an inhabitant of 
this part of America. It is considered of the same 
species as the celebrated Ichneumon, and like that 
singular animal is destructive of most kinds of ver- 
min § . It feeds on worms, insects, and fruits, and is 



* Pennant's Synopsis of Quadrupeds. 

t Buffon. 

:{: Viverra Qiiasje. 

§ Henderson's Honduras; p. 126. 



165 

said to be fetid. Whenever the Quash makes" an 
attack, it rather strikes with its teeth than bites, and 
always lacerates in a most severe degree. A dog of 
the best breed and courage, once wounded by this 
animal, will seldom again face it *. 

Ant Eater. — There are two kinds of this ani- 
mal found in the country, the Little Ant Eater, 
and the Striped Ant Eater, Henderson says, 
these animals are easily domesticated ; but are- sloth- 
ful and stupid, usually sleeping throughout the day, 
and roaming at night f. The animals of this genus 
live entirely on insects, more particularly on tlie 
various kinds of ants ; in order to obtain which, 
they extend their tongue, which is of a very great 
length, and of a roundish or worm-like form, into 
the nests of these insects ; and when, by means of 
the viscid moisture with which it is covered, a suf- 
ficient number are secured, they retract it suddenly 
into the mouth, and swallow them. These animals 
have no teeth ; although Broussonet has observed, 
that they have certain bones or processes, not un- 
like teeth, situated deep at the entrance of the gul- 
let or aesophagus ; or rather, according to Camper, 
at the lower end of the jaws. 



"^ Henderson's Account of the British Settlements at Hon- 
dura?, p. 126. 
t Ibid. 

X 3 



166 

Littles Ant Eater *. — This animal has a conic 
nose, bending a little down ; small ears, hid in the 
fur; two hooked claws on the fore-feet. The 
head, body, limbs, and upper part of the sides of 
the tail are covered with long, soft, silky hair, or 
rather wool, of a yellowish brown colour. The 
length from nose to tail is seven inches and a half, 
and that of the tail eight and a half; the last four 
inches of which, on the upper side, are naked. The 
tail is thick at the base, and tapers to a point f . 
The hair on the body is about nine inches long, 
soft, and of a brilliant colour, being a mixture of 
red, with a bright yellow J. 

Striped Ant Eater §.— This species is distin- 
guished by having five toes on the fore-feet ; the 
tail is long, flat, and entirely covered with hair. 
It is about thirteen inches long, and ten high. 

Opossum ||., — This animal is the Merian Opos- 
sum of BufFon, a; d probably the Manitou of Ja- 
maica. It has long, sharp pointed, naked ears; 
head, and upper part of the body, of a yellowish 
brown colour ; the belly white, tinged with yellow ; 



* MyrmecopJiaga Didach/la, Linn. 
t Pennant's Synops. Quadr. p. 233, 
t Buffon. 

§ Myrmecophaga Ventadactyla, 
II Didelpkis Vorsigcra, Linn, 



167 

the fore-feet divided into five fingers ; the hinder 
into four and a thumb, each furnished with flat 
nails ; tail very long, slender, and except at the base, 
quite naked ^. Upon the tail of the male, vv^hich is 
naked, and of a pale red colour, there are dusky 
red spots, which appear not on the tail of the fe- 
male. The young of these animals grunt in the 
same manner as a pig. The females produce 
five or six at a litter. The young mount upon 
the back of the mother, and adhere firmly with 
their tails twisted round hers. In this situation, 
she carries them about vdth great nimbleness and 
security f . Under the belly of the female there 
is a pouch, wherein she receives and shelters her 
young. When frightened or pursued, the young 
ones instantly fly to this receptacle of the parent, 
which can be closed or opened at will J. Edward 
Tyson, who dissected the female opossum with great 
accuracy, thus describes the pouch. Under the 
belly of the female there was an aperture about 
two or three inches long, formed by two folds of 
skin, which composed a pouch thinly covered with 
hair internally. This pouch contained the teats. 
The young, as soon as brought forth, go into this 
pouch in order to suck the mother, and acquire so 
strong a habit of concealing themselves, that, after 



» Penn. Synops. Quadr. p. 210. 

t BufFon. :|: Henderson's Honduras, p« 127. 



168 

amving at a considerable size, they continue to 
take refuge in the pouch, whenever they are alarmed. 
This pouch the animal can open or shut at pleasure, 
which it performs by means of several muscles, and 
two bones, ^that are peculiar to the opossum. 
These two bones are placed before the os pubis, to 
which they are attached by their base. They are 
about two inches long, and gradually diminish in 
thickness from the base to the extremity, and serve 
as a fulcrum to the muscles which open the pouch. 
The antagonists of these muscles shut the pouch so 
close, that, in the living animal, it cannot be seen, 
unless when forcibly dilated by the fingers: In the 
inside of the pouch there is a number of glands, 
which secrete a yellowish substance of. so disagreea- 
ble a smell, that it infects the whole body of the 
animal. This matter, however, when dried, not on- 
ly loses its disagreeable smell, but acquires a per- 
fume which may be compared to that of musk. 

~ Kacoon *. — This animal has a black sharp point- 
ed nose; upper jaw longer ; ears short and rounded ; 
eyes surrounded with two broad patches of black ; 
from the forehead to the nose a dusky line ; face, 
cheeks and chin, white ; upper part of the body 
covered with hair, ash- coloured at the root ; whitish 



* Ursus Lotor, Linn. 



169 

in the middle, and tipt with black ; toes black, and 
quite divided *. This animal is extremely common, 
and very destructive to gardens, poultry, &^c.-j-. 
The Racoon was common in Jamaica in the time of 
Sloane, who observes that it was eaten by all sorts 
of people. It feeds on vegetables, but is also very 
fond of eggs, and will even seize birds if it can 
catch them : at low water it feeds much on oysters, 
watching their opening, and with its paw snatching 
out the fish. It is hunted for its skin ; the fur, next 
to that of the beaver, being excellent for making 
hats. 

The Grey Fox :[:. — This animal is said to be a 
native of the mountainous parts ; but if it be, it 
must be rare §. This animal, I apprehend, is either 
the Canis Argentatus of Shaw, or the Canis Thous 
of Linnaeus ; the former is known to inhabit Louisi- 
ana, and the latter Surinam. 

Small Red Squirrel 1|. This animal is exceed- 
ingly numerous 5[, and probably is of the same 
species as the Cayenne Squirrel **, which has a very 

* Penn. Synops. Quadr. p. 190. 
t Henderson's Honduras, p. 127. 
X Vulpes. 

§ Henderson's Honduras, p. 127. 
II Sciurus. 

^ Henderson's Honduras, p. 127. 
** Sciuius Cuajanensis. 



170 

small reddish body ; lives solitary on trees ; feeds on 
seeds ; is naturally very fierce, but may be tamed ; 
and brings forth two young once a-year ; it is about 
the size of a rat. 

Mexican Porcupine *. — This animal has a long 
tail ; four toes on the hind feet, the spines nearly 
concealed among the long hair ; the body of a dus- 
ky colour ; it is about eighteen inches long ; the 
tail nine inches. The porcupine is frequently tak- 
en in out-houses, and on the different plantations. 
The flesh of this animal is much commended by the 
negroes, by whom it is sought as a peculiar deli- 
cacy f . According to Pennant, it lives on summer 
fruits, and may be easily tamed. He adds, that the 
Indians pulverize the quills, and say they are very 
efficacious in gravelly cases ; they also apply them 
whole to the forehead, where they are said to ad- 
here till full of blood, and then drop off: in this 
manner they will relieve the most violent head- 
ach* ^ 

Mountain Cow J.— This animal is of the size of 
a young calf, or heifer, and in shape somewhat ap- 
proaching to the figure of the hog, and the back 
arched ; its head is thicker than a hog's, and ends in 

* Hystrix Mexicana, 

t Henderson's Honduras, p, 127. 

} Tapir /imericamis, Linn. 



171 

a sharp ridge at top ; and the male has a snout, or 
sort of proboscis hanging over the opening of the 
mouth, in which he has a very strong muscle, 
serving to retract it at pleasure ; the nose of the fe- 
male is destitute of the proboscis, and the jaws are 
of equal length ; its eyes are small, and very like 
those of the hog ; its ears roundish, bordered with 
white ; and these he can draw forward at pleasure ; 
its legs are thick, and not longer than those of the 
hog ; its fore-hoofs are divided into three portions, 
and a sort of false hoof behind ; but the hind-hoofii 
have only the three parts ; its tail is very small ; 
the skin is hard and solid ; and the hair short, and 
of a pale brown, and when young, variegated with 
white spots ; and along the neck is a bristly mane, 
an inch and a half high. He has ten cutting teeth, 
and an equal number of grinders in each jaw, a 
character which separates him entirely from the ox 
kind, and from all other ruminating animals *. He 
lives upon plants and roots, and never uses his wea- 
pons against other animals. His disposition is so 
mild and timid, that he declines all hostilities, and 
flies from every danger. Though his legs are short, 
and his body heavy, he runs very swiftly, and he 
swims still better than he runs. The texture of his 
skin is so close and firm, that it often resists a mus- 
ket ball. His flesh is coarse and insipid, but it is 
eaten by the Indians f . It is said to be rendered 

'^ Buffon. t Ibid. 



171 

domestic in some parts of Guiana. When attack- 
ed by dogs it makes a vigorous resistance. The 
tapir produces but one young at a birth, of which 
it is very careful, leading it at an early age to the 
sea, and instructing it to swim. This animal is an 
inhabitant of the thickest and most retired woods 
in the neighbourhood of rivers and creeks. " It 
" swims, dives, and is considered to possess the pro- 
*' perty of walking beneath the water. It may 
" frequently be traced on the sands by the large, 
** flat, and nearly round impression of its feet. As 
** this animal cautiously avoids the day, it is but 
*' rarely met with. Sometimes, however, as the 
** traveller pursues his course up the distant rivers, 
*' and when but little noise is made, it is surprised on 
'* the banks and shot ^." Captain Henderson con- 
firms what has been observed above, of the flesh of 
the tapir being exceedingly coarse and rank. It is 
however said, that the feet and back of the neck 
are tokrable. 

Monkey f.-^This tribe is very numerous, and 
the species various ; although confined, it is believ- 
ed, exclusively to the classes which naturalists have 
denominated Sapajous and Sagoins J. The feet 



* Henderson's Account of the British Settlement of Hon- 
duras, p. 128. 

^ Simia. % Henderson's Honduras, p. yi9. 



173 

of both are constructed nearly in the same manner 
with those of the apes, baboons, and monkeys. But 
they differ from the apes by having tails. They 
differ from the baboons by the want of cheek- 
pouches, and callosities on their buttocks. In fine, 
they differ from the apes, baboons, and monkeys, 
by having the portion between their nostrils very 
broad and thick, and the apertures placed to a side, 
and not under the nose. Hence the sapajous and sa- 
goins differ not only specifically, but generically,from, 
the apes, baboons, and monkeys. When compared 
with each other, we likewise find that they differ in 
generic characters ; for all the sapajous have prehen- 
sile tails, which are so constructed that the animals 
can use them as fingers to lay hold of objects. This 
under part of the tail, which they fold^ extend, curl 
up, or unfold at pleasure, aiid by the extremity of 
which they suspend themselyes on tjie branches of 
trees, is generally deprived of hair, and covered with 
a smooth skin. The tails of all the sagpins, on the 
contrary, are proportionably longer than those of the 
sapajous, and are straight, flaccid, and entirely co- 
vered with hair, so that they can neither use the 
tail in laying hold of objects, nor in suspending 
themselves. This difference alone is sufficient to 
distinguish a sapajou from a sagoin *. The Horned, 
Brown, and Capuchin Monkey, are the kinds most 

* Buffon. 

Y-2 



174 

frequently met with in the woods of Honduras. The 
last is very common, aindis a mild playful little ani- 
mal*. 

HoR:^fED Monkey f .— This animal is easily dis- 
tinguished from other sajous and sapajous, by the 
two bunches of black hairs, like horns, on the sides 
of the crown of the head, which are sixteen lines 
long : they are two inches three lines distant from 
each other at the tips. 

This animal measures fourteen inches from the 
end of the nose to the origin of the tail ; its head is 
oblong and its muzzle thick, and covered with hairs 
of a dirty white. The end of the nose is thick. 
The tail is fourteen inches long, ends in a point, 
and is covered with black hairs. The back is of a 
reddish colour mixed with brown and grey, as well 
as the exterior surface of the thighs, which are 
greyish within. There is a brown stripe on the 
neck and back, which is continued to the tail. The 
hair on the flanks is of a deep tawny, as is also the 
belly ; but the tawny is clearer, or yellowish on the 
arms, from the shoulder to the wrist, as well as on the 
neck and part of the breast. Beneath the clear taw- 
ny of the forcrarm, or fore4eg, there are black hairs 
mixed with reddish : those of the forehead, cheeks. 



* Henderson's Honduras, p. l^Q. 
t Simia FatudluSf Linn. 



17.5 

and sides of the head, are whitish, with some shades 
of tawny. The ears are large and bare ; the hair on 
the tops of the feet and hands is black. The thumb 
is flat, and all the nails turn up in the shape of a 
groove *. 

Brown Monkey f .— This is the Brown Sapajou, 
or Sajou of BufFon. It is without beard ; the body 
is brown, the feet are black. 

CapIfchin Monkey J. — This animal has a round 
h«;ad, and a short flesh-coloured face, with a little 
down on it ; hair on the forehead, more or less 
high and erect in different subjects ; top of the 
head black and dusky, hair on it pretty long, hind 
part of the neck and middle of the back, covered 
with long dusky hairs ; rest of the back and the 
limbs of a reddish brown ; hands and feet co- 
vered with a large skin ; tail longer than the head 
and body, and often carried over the shoulders ; the 
hair on it very long, of a deep brown colour, and ap- 
pears very bushy from beginning to end §. It is 
mild, docile, timid ; walks on its heels, and does 
not skip. It has a crying wailing voice, and repels 
its enemies by a kind of howling. When made 
angry, it will yelp like a puppy ; it carries its tail 



* BufFun. t Simia Apella. J Simla Caimcincir, 

§ Penn. Synops. Quadr. p. 126. 



176 

S23irally rolled up, which is often coiled round the 
neck ; it smells of musk. 

Honduras Monkey. Captain Henderson men- 
tions a species of monkey found in this part of the 
world, which he thinks may have escaped particu- 
lar notice. " In size and form, it resembles the 
** Apella ; and the female, in which the characte- 
" ristic difference appears most strongly to exist, is 
" peculiarly denoted by a loose fleshy appendant 
" membrane, which frequently occasions its sex to 
" be mistaken ^, " 

Otter f . — This animal is of an amphibious na- 
ture, living more in the water than upon land. It 
appears that this amphibious animal is as large as a 
middle-sized dog ; that the top of its head is round 
like that of the cat ; that its muzzle is somewhat 
long, like that of the dog ; that it has the teeth 
and whiskers of a cat ; small round black eyes ; 
ears roundish, and placed low ; five toes on each 
foot, with the thumbs shorter than the other toes, 
which are all armed with sharp brown claws. The 
tail is as long as the hind legs ; the hair is pretty 
short, and very soft J. There is a species found in 
the rivers of South America, whose fur is extreme- 



* Henderson's Honduras, p. ISO. 

t Lutra Marina, Linn. J Biiffon, 



177 

ly soft and very fine ; the hind feet resemble those 
of the seal, the toes being connected by a strong 
granulated membrane, with a skin skirting the 
outward toe, as in some of the water fowl ; the tail 
is short, broad, depressed, and pointed at the end. 
The sea-otter has been found to weigh 70 or 80 
pounds. It feeds upon crabs and fishes ; but it 
may Hkewise be nourished with the flour of manioc 
diluted in water. Its skin makes a good fur; and, 
though it lives chiefly on fishes, its flesh is very 
good, wholesome, and has no bad flavour *. Vast 
numbers of sea-otters are found on the north-west 
coast of America ; their skins are exceedingly va- 
luable, and are sold in great quantities to the Chi- 
nese. Some of them will fetch from fourteen to 
twenty -five pounds each. 

Manati f . This animal has been considered as 
forming the boundary between quadrupeds and 
fishes. The manati, which is neither a quadruped 
nor a whale, retains the two fore feet, or rather 
hands, of the former. But the hind legs, which in 
the seal and walrus, are almost entirely included 
within the body, and very much contracted, are to- 
tally obliterated in the manati. Instead of twa 
short feet, and a still shorter tail, which the walrus 



* Buffon. t 7' rich ecus. 



17.8 

carries in a horizontal direction, the manati has 
only a large tail, which spreads out like a fan, in the 
same direction *. The skin is very thick, black, 
aed full of inequalities, like the bark of oak, and so 
hard as scarce to be cut with an axe, and has no 
hair on it. Beneath the skin is a thick blubber, 
which tastes like oil of almonds. The flesh is 
coarser than beef, and will not soon putrify. The 
young ones taste like veal. The skin is used for 
shoes, and covering the sides of boats f. "The 
" male and female of this species of animal are us- 
" ually found together ; and whilst sportmg on the 
" surface of the different lagoons, are frequently de- 
" stroyed by the harpoon or dart, in the use of 
" which the slaves of the settlement, and the Indi- 
" ans of the neighbouring Mosquito nation, are 
^* wonderfully dexterous. The extraordinary size 
" of this singular production has likewise been re- 
" marked. The flesh of it is particularly admired, 
*' and thought equal to the finest veal. The tail, 
" which forms the most valuable part of the Mana- 
" ti, after having laid some days in a pickle pre- 
" pared for it with spices, &c., and eaten cold, is a 
" discovery of which Apicus might have been 
" proud, and which the discriminating palate of 
" Heliogabalus would have thought justly entitled 



* Buffon* t Penn. Synops. Quadr. p. 355, 



179 

" to the most distinguished reward*." There are two 
species of this animal found here, the great West 
Indian Manati f , and the little American Manati J, 
the former never leaves the sea, but the latter prefers 
fresh waters, and goes up the rivers to a great dis- 
tance. Navigators agree in saying, that the little 
American Manati does not feed entirely on the 
herbs that grow under water, but that it also brow- 
ses those on the banks, when it can reach them, by 
stretching out its head without leaving the water 
entirely, for it is not able to walk on land any 
more than the other manatis, nor even to crawl §. 
This animal is commonly from ten to fifteen feet 
long, huge and unwieldy, and weighs from twelve 
to fifteen hundred weight* 



♦ Henderson's Account of the British Settlement of Hon- 
tluras, p. 133. 

t Trichecus Aiistralis» % Trichecus Manatus, Linn. 

§ Buffon. 

z 



180 



BIRDS. 

Wild Turkey*. — This bird does not differ 
Irom the domestic sort, except that they are mueh 
larger and blacker ; they have the same dispositions, 
the same natural habits, and the same stupidity. 
They perch in the woods on the dry branches ; and 
when one falls by a shot, the rest are not intimi- 
dated by the report, but all continue secure in the 
same position. According to Hernandes, their flesh, 
though pleasant to eat, is harder and not so delicate 
as that of the tame turkeys ; but they are twice as 
large f. Another author says, the flesh of the 
wild turkey is preferable to that of the tame, but 
redder. The wild turkeys are of a dingy uniform 
colour; and seldom weigh more than thirty pounds. 
" In this part of the continent, the turkey is usual- 
" ly discovered in the thickest and most sequester- 
*' ed recesses of the woods. It can rarely be taken 
" alive, and when so taken, has seldom been known 
" to exist any time. In the northern parts of 
" America it is gregarious ; but in the neighbour- 
" hood of Honduras, it is not often seen in the com- 
'* pany of more than one associate. The eggs of this 
** bird have frequently been taken from the nest, 

* Meleagris Gailopavo. t Baffon. 



181 

" and placed under the -domestic hen of the san3£ 
" species, and hatched ; but the young ones pro- 
*' duced in this way seldom live, and if not closely 
" confined, invariably disappear, in quest, as it is 
" supposed, of more congenial haunts *." The wild 
turkey, when surprised, runs with prodigious speed, 
and if hotly pursued, they take wing and perch on 
the summit of the next tall tree. The Indians 
make fans of the turkey's tail, and also weave the 
inner webs of their feathers with thread, or the 
rhind of the mulberry tree, into an elegant sort .of 
clothing ; it appears rich and glossy, and as fine as 
a silk shag. In Louisiana, the French were wont 
-to -make umbrellas by the junction of four of the 
tails. Turkeys are natives only of America, and of 
course, unknown to the ancients. The iionorable 
Baines Barrington has published an essay, in which 
he attempts to prove, that the turkey was known 
before the discovery of America ; but this has been 
completely disproved ; and Mr Pennant has esta- 
blished the point by an elaborate induction of va- 
rious particulars in the history of these birds ^ evin- 
cing that they are natives neither of Europe, Asia, 
nor Africa. 

CuRASsow f . — This bird is of the size and make 
of the pea-hen, but the legs are longer and the tail 



Henderson's Honduras, p. 137. t Crax. 

Z 3 



182 

narrower and more producted. It has a very beau- 
tiful crest of curled feathers along the crown of the 
head ; they are something like those in the tail of 
a drake, and rise in succession one beyond another 
in two ranges, which are nearly intermixed. The 
skin is pretty loose over the head, and continues so 
over the thickest part of the bill, where it is gene- 
rally of a yellow colour : the eye is full, round, and 
blackish^. Linnaeus describes the male and fe- 
male as two distinct species, the first under the name 
of alector, the other rubra. There is one respect 
in which this bird differs very materially from the 
generally established order of nature, the male being 
found much inferior in size and plumage to the fe- 
male f . The male is about the size of a small tur- 
key ; the general plumage is deep black, having 
only a few downy white feathers on the lower part 
of the belly ; the legs strong and dusky brown. 
The female is rather larger than the male ; the bill 
ash-coloured ; the head crested as in the other sex ; 
the feathers white with black tips. The head and 
hind-part of the neck ash-coloured, or deep rich 
chocolate colour, with variegated spots of white and 
black on its neck and pinions 4 The fore part ''of 



f Browne's Natural History of Jamaica, p. 470. 
t Henderson's Honduras, p. 138. 
t Ibid. 



183 

the neck, and rest of the plumage, red-brown ; tail 
plain and dusky black ; legs brown. These bird$ 
soon become perfectly domesticated, going about 
and feeding familiarly with poultry, &c. ^, Its 
flesh is white, though rather dry ; but when kept 
a sufficient time, it is pleasant eating, 

QUAM f , — -The prevailing colour of the plumage 
of this bird is black mixed with brown, but with 
different reflections, and some white streaks on the 
neck, breast, belly, &^c. ; the legs are of a bright 
red |. In appearance this bird has little to recom- 
mend it, but it is eagerly sought on account of the 
delicacy of its flesh, which is thought equal to that 
of the pheasant §. It is said to be easily tamed, and 
appears sensible of being noticed. In a wild state 
it passes the night in the highest trees : when tamed, 
it roosts on the top of the houses. It has two dis- 
tinct cries ; one very weak, resembling that of a 
turkey ; the other stronger and plaintive, which 
seems to indicate either hunger or pajn. The flesh 
of the Quam is excellent meat, 

CoquERicoT.-^This bird is probably the Chacamel 



* Henderson's Honduras, p. 139. 

t Penelope Crisiana. — Meleagris Cristataf hinri* 

t Buffon. 

§ Henderson's Honduras, p. IS9. 



184 

of Buffon taken from its Mexican name Chachalaca- 
melt, which, in the Mexican language signifies the 
<irying bird. This bird is much admired for the 
dehcacy of its flesh. 

Mexican Partridge *. — This bird is quit-e com- 
mon in the neighbourhood of Honduras, and in size, 
form, and the colour and disposal of its feathers, 
very closely resembles the Guinea-hen f . This bird 
has also some resemblance to the red partridge, in the 
colour of its plumage, of its bill, and of its feet; its 
body has a mixture of brown, light grey, and ful- 
vous ; the lower part of its wings is of an a«h co- 
lour, the upper is mottled with dull white, and ful- 
vous spots, as likewise the head and neck J. 

•Q.UAIL §. — At particular seasons this bird is plenti- 
fully found in the pine lands, and affords consider- 
able amusement to the sportsman [|. 

DovrE ^.< — Few species are so generally spread as 
those of the pigeons ; for, having a very powerful 
wing and well-supported flight, they can easily per- 
form very distant journeys **. The brown pigeon 

• Tetrao Ncevius. — Ocoeolin, BufFon. 
f Henderson's Honduras, p. 140. 
X Buffon. 

§ Verdix Mexicana.-^-Teirao Mexicanus. 
11 Henderson's Honduras, p. 14;0. 
IT Columha. ** Buffon. 



185 

of New Spain, mentioned by Hernandez under the 
Mexican name Cehoilet^, which isentirelj brown ex- 
cepting the breast and the tip of the wing^, which are 
white, appears to be only a variety of the Bisset. Its 
eyes are encircled by a bright red skin, its iris black ; 
its legs red. The one mentioned by the same author 
under the name Hoilotl\, which is brown marked 
with black spots, is probably but a variety of the 
preceding, occasioned by difference of age or sex. 
Another of the same country termed Kaeahoilotl %, 
which is blue in the upper parts, and red on the 
breast and belly, is perhaps only a variety of the 
European wild pigeon §. Henderson says theI>ove 
is common about the British Settlement of Balise [[. 

Wood Pigeon ^. — This bird is also very abun^- 
dant **.. The birds which the inhabitants of the 
American islands call wood Pigeons {Ramier), are 
the real European Bissets. They are migratory, and 
never halt long in one place. They follow the 
crops which ripen not at the same time m all the 



* Columba Mexicana, t Columba Noevkf. 

J Columba Ccertiela. § Buffon. 

II Henderson's Honduras, p. 140. 
5F Columba Cariba^a. 
*• Henderson's Honduras, p. 14*0. 



186 

different parts of the islands. They perch on the 
tallest trees, in which they breed twice or thrice a^ 
year. ,When they eat good grain they are very fat, 
and as well tasted as the pigeons of Europe ; 
but those which feed on bitter seeds, such as those 
of the Acomas, are as bitter as soot *. The Colum^ 
ha Caribcea is a bird of the size of the ring-pigeon, 
and in great esteem for food, which bird in the West 
Indies sells for the table at the price of a dollar* In 
Jamaica it is frequently called the mountain pigeon. 
There is a species of the Wood Pigeon which 
Captain Henderson supposes to be the Leucocephala^ 
or White-Crowned Pigeon of Linnaeus, " that is mi- 
•* gratory from the mountainous parts of the conti- 
" nent to a small island or key about twenty miles 
" distant from the settlement of Balize in a north-east 
" direction. This spot, in consequence of the an- 
" nual resort of these birds during the months of 
" July and August, has obtained the name of pi- 

** geon key The old birds have a peculiarly 

" disagreeable bitter taste, but the young ones are 
" extremely rich and well flavoured, and on being 
" first taken are deemed very choice food f ." This 
species breeds in vast numbers among the rocks on 
the coasts of Jamaica, St Domingo, the Bahama 



♦ Du Tertre, Hist. Antilles, torn. 2d, p. ^5Q, 
t Henderson's Honduras, p. 111. 



187 

Islands, Si^c. ; and subsist on the berries of the 
sweet wood. 

Spoonbill "*.-^This bird is sometimes called the 
Spatula, and also the Roseate Spoonbill, to dis- 
tinguish it from the White Spoonbill f . The body 
is rose-coloured, the tail-coverts scarlet. There is 
a variety blood-red : neck white ; collar black ; 
tail-feathers scarlet, and is about twenty-seven in- 
ches long. The American Spoonbill is only a little 
smaller in all its dimensions, than the European ; it 
differs also by the rose or carnation which paints the 
white ground of its plumage on the neck, the back, 
and the sides ; the wings are more strongly colour- 
ed, and the red tint runs into a crimson on the 
shoulders and the coverts of the tail, of which the 
quills are rufous ; the shaft of those of the wing is 
marked with fine carmine ; the head and the throat 
are naked J, The plumage of this bird may be 
considered handsome, being chiefly of a bright scar- 
let colour, but in every other respect it is singular- 
ly ugly and deformed §. Marc grave says, that the 
flesh is pretty good. The Spoonbill lives by the 
sea-side on small fishes : iri the morning and even^ 
ing they may be seen on the sea-shore, or sitting on 



* Platalea Ajaja. t Platalea Luecorodia. 

% Buflfon. § Henderson's Honduras^ p, 142- 

Aa 



I 



^ 188 

trunks that float near the beach ; but about the 
middle of the day, in the sultriest weather, they en- 
ter the creeks, and perch very high on the aquatic 
trees *. They are not very wild ; for at sea they 
pass very near the canoes, and on land they will 
suffer a person to get within gun-shot of them, 
whether they be alighted, or on the wing. 

White GAULDiNof.— This is a beautiful bird, 
and resembles the European Egret in the beautiful 
white of its plumage, without mixture of any other 
Golour : it is twice as large, and consequently its 
magnificent attire of silky feathers is the richer and 
fuller. Like the European Egret, it has its bill 
and legs black J. This bird is also found in St 
Domingo, where, in the dry season, it lives beside 
the marshes and pools §. 

Grey Gaulbing ||. — -This bird has a crest which 
consists of fine pendant feathers, some of them six 
inches long, and of a handsome ash-colour ; those 
which hang under the neck are white, and equally 
delicate, soft, and flexible ; those of the shoulders 
and of the mouth, are of a Blaty-grey %. The flesh 
is said to be good* 



* Bufforii t Ardea Egretta, 

X Ibid. § BufFon. 

ii Ardea Cocoi, IF BufFon, 



189 

Blue Gaulding *. — This bird seems to be an in- 
termediate between the egrets nnd herons, for instead 
of the large band of feathers of the former, it has 
only a tuft of rufous unwebbed shoots ; it is not 
quite two feet long; and the upper side of the 
body, neck, and head are deep blueish, while the 
under side of the body is white f . 

Plover J. — Several varieties of this bird are pe- 
riodical visitants of these coasts. There is a species 
called the Golden Plover^, which inhabits almost 
every part of the world. From the arctic regions, 
they appear to have migrated into the new-world, 
where they seem to be more widely diffused than 
in the old; for a Golden Plover ||, differing only 
in some shades from the European, is found in Ja- 
maica, Martinico, St Domingo, and Cayenne. In 
the southern parts of America, these birds inhabit 
the savannas, and visit the patches of sugar-cane 
which have been set on fire ^. 

Curlew **. — These birds are also regularly peri- 
odical visitants f f . They inhabit the low slimy 



* Ardea Leucogaster. t BufFon. 

t Charadrius. 

§ Charadrius Pluvialis. 

II Charadrius Jamaicencis. 

^ Buffon. 

** Tantalus. ft Henderson's Honduras, p. 145. 

A a 2 



190 

grounds contiguous to the sea, and the great rivers 
of South America *. There are two sorts of Cur- 
lews that differ in bulk as well as in colour ; the 
largest, according to Dampier, are equal in size to 
turkey cocks ; their legs are long, and their bill 
hopked ; they are of a dull colour ; their wings are 
mixed with black and white ; their flesh is black, 
but very good and wholesome. The English call 
them double curlews, because they are twice as 
large as the biggest of the others. The little Cur- 
lews are of a dull brown ; their legs and their bill 
are the same with those of the preceding; they 
are more esteemed than the others, because their 
flesh is more delicate f . The species that inhabit 
this country, I apprehend, are the Red Curlew f , and 
the Acalot § ; the first has all its plumage of a 
scarlet colour, except the tip of the first quills of 
the wing, which is black || ; the latter bird has its 
front bald, and covered with a reddish skin ; its 
bill is blue ; the neck and back of the head clothed 
v/ith feathers, which are brown intermixed with 
white and green ; the wings shine with green and 
purple reflections ^. The flesh of the curlew is a 

* Buffon. 

+ Dampier. 

X Tantalus Ruber. 

§ Tantalus Mexicanus. 

II Buffon. 

«fr Ibid 



191 ' 

dish much esteemed ; it is eaten in ragouts, and 
makes tolerable sauce ; but it must be previously 
half-roasted to discharge part of its oil, which has 
a brackish taste. In the state of nature, these 
birds live on fish, shell-fish, and insects, which they 
find in the slime at ebb-tide. They never go very 
far from the sea-coast, nor advance up the rivers to 
any considerable distance from the mouths ^. 

Snipe f . — During the season of the rains, the 
Snipe abounds in the swamps and marshes J. The 
species found in this country are probably the Whim-' 
hrel § and the Brown Snipe of Cayenne ||. The 
former is yellowish, with brown legs ; and the head 
of the same colour, streaked with white : the lat- 
ter is of a cinerous brown, variegated with brick-co- 
lour; the under sides of its body and its rump white. 
These birds are migratory, and visit most parts of the 
West Indies. The Chevalier LefebreDeshayes remarks, 
that a month after their arrival at St Domingo, they 
found them grow so fat as to appear unwieldy as the 
quails. The Snipe has commonly abundance of fat, 
which is of a delicate flavour, and not apt to cloy 
like ordinary fat : it is cooked like the wood-cock ; 



* Buffon. 

t Scolopax. 

i Henderson's Honduras, p. 143. 

§ Scolopax Guarauna. 
II ScDlopax Cajjenncnsis. 



192 

without extracting the entrails, and is every where 
esteemed delicious game. It is asserted, that the 
Whimbrel snipe never grows fat, nevertheless its 
flesh is very well tasted. 

Wild Duck '^, — During the season of the rains, 
the different rivers and lakes are plentifully stocked 
with wild ducks f . There are several species of 
this bird, but we shall only notice that called the 
^lexican Sarcelle J, which is one of the most beau- 
tiful species of the genus : almost its whole plumage 
is white, dotted with black, especially on the breast ; 
the wings exhibit a mixture of blue, green, fulvous, 
black, and white ; the head is blackish-brown, with 
varying colours ; the tail is blue below, blackish 
above, and terminated with white. The female, as 
in all the species of this genus, differs from the male 
by its colours, w^hich are not so distinct and vivid §. 

Muscovy Duck||. — This bird is very frequently 
shot in the neighbourhood of Balize ^. It is much 
larger than the common duck, and is even the 
biggest of all the ducks known **. In Jamaica this 
bird is found to breed so easily, that it is now very 



* ybias. t Henderson's Honduras, p. lig. 

^, Anas Novoe Hispanioe. § Buffon. 

jl Anas Muschata. ^ Henderson's Honduras, p. 14^ 

*« Buifon.' 



193 

common in every part of that island, and the most 
common dish at every table in the country. In 
Guiana, they nestle on the trunks of rotten trees ; 
and after the young are hatched, the mother takes 
them one after the other by the bill, and throws 
them into the water. They are shy and mistrustful; 
can scarcely be approached, and are as difficult to 
shoot as most of the other water-fowl. 

Teal *. — ^This bird is found in great abundance 
during the time of the rains, about the different ri- 
vers and lakes. Their flesh is said to be delicate^ 
and well tasted. 

Red AND Blue MACAaf.— This bird is by far 
the most magnificent of the whole parrot tribe : the 
sides of the head, from the bill backwards, for a 
good broad space, are bare of feathers, and covered 
with a whitish, wrinkled rough skin ; in the upper 
parts of these spaces are placed the eyes, whose irids 
are yellow ; the head, neck, breast, belly, thighs, up- 
per part of the back, and lesser covert-feathers of 
the wings are of a very fine bright red or scarlet 
colour; the quill feathers of the wings are of a 
very fine blue on their outsides, and a faint 
red on their under side ; the first feathers next 
above the quills are of a fine yellow colour, 

* Anas, t Tsittacus Macacu 



194 

some of the feathers being tipped with greefl; 
the blue quills which fall next the back are 
tinged with green ; the hinder part of the thigh has 
some green intermixed with the red ; the lower part 
of the belly, and coverts under the tail, as also the 
lower part of the back, and coverts on the upper 
side of the tail, are of a very fine blue colour ; the 
tail-feathers gradually shorten towards the sides ; 
some of the longest or middle feathers are wholly 
red ; the shorter or side feathers are partly red, and 
partly blue, their tips being bluCj and their bottoms 
redi 

The Macao chiefly resides in the palm woods, and 
feeds, like the rest of the birds of this genus, on va- 
rious kinds of fruit* They fly the best of all the 
species of parrots, and always perch on the summits 
of trees, or on the highest branch. During the day 
they wander to the distance of two or three miles 
from their favourite spot, but always return in the 
evening. The male and female sit alternately on 
their eggs, or cherish their young, and both equally 
carry food ; they never desert the charge as long as 
their assistance is needed, and always perch together 
near the nest. The young ones are easily tamed, 
and in many parts of America these birds are never 
taken but in their nests, because the adults are too 
difficult to educate *. 



Buffo 



195 

Red and Yellow Macao *. — Pale scarlet ; scapu- 
lar feathers yellow, tipt with green ; quill-feathers 
above blue, beneath rufous; cheeks naked, wrink- 
led. The tail-feathers above are scarlet, mixed with 
violet, beneath dusky red, two middle ones both 
sides dusky red on the upper half. It is of the 
same size as the former. 

Parrots. — The greater part of these are quickly 
domesticated, and if taken young are as suddenly 
taught to talk fluently. The kinds which are most 
esteemed for their aptness in this respect are the yel- 
low, and the blue-headed f . The former of these 
are extremely numerous in this country, and on the 
the contiguous island of Ruatan |. Parrots are ge- 
nerally reckoned very delicate meat, and eat not 
unlike pigeons ; they are very common in the woods 
of Jamaica, and frequently served up at gentlemen's 
tables in all the country parts of the island §. 

MosquiTO Parrot ||. — This species generally 
proves better than many othei? sorts, if taken while 
young. The eyes are black, as well as the promi- 
nent waxen part between the forehead and the bill ; 



" Psittacus Aracango. 

t Henderson's Honduras, p. 143. % Ibid. 

f Browne's Natural History of Jamaica, p. ^73. 
II Psittacus Mosqmtensis. 

B b 



196 

and as the feathers, which are all green at first, fall 
off, they are commonly succeeded by others of a 
yellow colour. 

Parakeets .-i-^The smaller sorts of these birds are 
very abundant, and many of them are extremely 
pretty *. It is remarked, that the parakeets never 
associate with the parrots, but always keep together 
in great flocks. 

Bill -BIRD f -^-This bird is very common, and is 
known in other parts by the name of Toucan. The 
Bill-bird is particularly distinguished by the remark- 
able length and breadth of its bill, which is pearly 
equal to the bigness of its body, and this is about 
the size of the jack-daw J. The bill is of a very light 
substance, and, in the living bird, it is compressible 
between the fingers. The tongue of the Toucans 
is, if possible, more wonderful than the bill : they 
are the only birds which may be said to have a 
feather instead of a tongue, and a feather it certain- 
ly is, though the shaft is a cartilaginous substance 
two lines broad ; for on both &ides there are very 
close barbs entirely like those of ordinary feathers, 
and which are longer the nearer they are inserted 



■ Henderson's Honduras, p. J 44. 

f Eamphasios. 

J Henderson's Hcmduras^ p. 144, 



197 

te the extremity. With an organ so singular, and 
so different from the ordinary substance and organi- 
zation of the tongue, we might suppose that these 
birds were mute ; yet they have a voice as well as 
the rest, and often utter a sort of whistling, which 
is reiterated so quickly, and with such continuance, 
that they have been denominated the 'preaching 
birds. The savages ascribe great virtues to this 
feathery tongue, and use it as a cure in many dis.- 
orders ^. Its plumage is prettily variegated f , and 
the orbits of the eyes are generally bare. The Tou- 
cans are supposed to live on fruits, but in a state 
of captivity they will eat animal food. They are 
easily tamed and familiarised ; in this state they 
will eat fruits, fish, and flesh, and devour them with 
considerable voracity. Whatever is received by 
the bill they throw into the air, and on its return 
caught, and without the slightest mastication, in- 
stantly devoured. Two species of this bird are known 
to inhabit the neighbouring kingdom of Mexico. 
The yellow Toucan J, and the blue Toucan §. The 
former is as large as a pigeon ; its bill is thick, 
black, and hooked ; its eyes too, are black, but the 
iris yellow ; its wings and tail are variegated with 
black and white ; a black bar rises from the bill 
and extends on each side of the breast ; the top of 

• Buflfon. t Henderson's Honduras, p. Ii4'. 

X Ramphados Lulcns. § Ramphastos Cccriielus. 

B b2 



198 

the wings is yellow, and the rest of the body yel- 
lowish white ; the legs and feet are brown, and the 
nails whitish. The blue Toucan^ is of the size of a 
common pigeon ; its bill is very large and indent- 
ed, yellow above and reddish-black below ; all its 
plumage is variegated with cinerous and blue. 

Banana Bird ^.--.^.This bird is little larger than 
the European gold-finch ; it has obtained its name, 
perhaps, from its resorting to the fruit of the bana- 
na-tree for its food, and it is greatly admired for the 
beauty of its dress, which forms an elegant inter- 
mixture of the most gay and vivid colours, f This 
genus are remarkable for the structure of their nest, 
which in some species hangs from the branch to 
which it is attached, and in others it is sewed or 
fastened with peculiar art, beneath the surface of 
some very large leaf. There are several species of 
this bird, but the most singular individual of this 
kind, is the St Domingo Oriole J, and is somewhat 
larger than the former §. Black ; body on the 
hind-part, wing-coverts, and spot on the wings, pale 
yellow; it is about eight inches long; builds a 
purse-shaped nest, on the extreme branches of trees, 
hanging over water. Immense numbers of this 
species resort to the neighbourhood of the river Si- 



• Oriolus, 

J Oriolus Dominiccnsis, 



t Henderson's Honduras, p. litt. 
§ Ibid. p. 145. 



199 

bun, near Balize, where they form their pendent 
nests at the extreme end of the branches of the 
tallest trees, and generally overhang the water *. 

Rice Bird f . — It is also called the Rice Bantings 
and *' is frequently termed, from its peculiar rich- 
" ness and delicacy, the American Ortolan (a dis- 
" tinction that an epicurean palate must confess to 
" be not undeservedly bestowed on it) is also mi- 
" gratory, and is usually found on plantations 
" where the grain is cultivated, from which it has 
" derived its familiar appellation J." The plumage 
of the females is rusty over almost its whole body ; 
that of the males is more diversified ; the fore-part 
of the head and neck, the throat, the breast, and 
all the under part of the body, the* upper part of 
the back and the thighs, black, with a mixture of 
rusty ; the back of the head and neck rusty ; the 
lower part of the back and rump of an olive ciner- 
ous ; the great superior coverts of the wings of the 
same colour, edged with whitish ; the small supe- 
rior coverts of the wings, and the superior coverts 
of the tail, dirty white ; the quills of the wing 
black, tipt with brown, and edged; the great ones 
with sulphur colour, and the small ones with grey ; 



* Henderson's Honduras, p. 145. 
t Ember iza Ovyzmora, Linn. 

* Henderson's Honduras; p. 145. 



200 

the quills of the tail are nearly like the great quills 
of the wings, only all terminate in points ; lastly, 
the bill is cinerous, and the legs brown *. Its food 
consists of grain and insects, and the maize espe- 
cially ; they are remarkably fond of this plant, and 
prove highly destructive to the crops, by unneces- 
sarily perforating the husks, after satisfying their 
appetites, and thus leaving openings through which 
the rain penetrates, and effectually destroys the 
plants. Some, for this reason, call it the maize 
thieff Its note is much admired. There is a va- 
riety pf this bird of an olive brown colour, beneath 
yellowish; rump yellow, transversely lined with 
brown; greater wing coverts and quillrfeathers 
edged with white. 

Pelican f . — The whole of this extensive coast, 
as well as the islands and keys, abound with an in- 
finite number of these birds. The Pelican equals, 
or even surpasses the bulk of the swan, and would 
be the largest of all the aquatic birds, were not the 
albatross thicker, and the flamingo much taller on 
its legs. Those of the Pelican, on the contrary, are 
very low ; but its wings are so broad as to extend 
eleven or twelve feet if. This bird is an excellent 
swimmer ; its feet are completely webbed, its four 

* Buffon. t Pelecanus Fuscus. 

t Ibid. 



201 

toes being connected by a single piece of mem- 
brane ; this skin and the feet are red or yellow, ac- 
cording to its age *. The feathers on its neck are 
only a short down ; those on the nape are longer, 
and form a sort of tuft ; its head is flat at the sides, 
its eyes are small, and placed on two broad naked 
cheeks ; its tail is composed of eighteen quills ; the 
colours of its bill are yellow and pale orange on a 
grey ground, with streaks of bright red on the mid- 
dle and near the extremity ; this bill is flattened a- 
bove like a broad blade, with a longitudinal ridge^ 
terminating in a hook ; the inside of this blade, 
which makes the upper mandible, has five protu- 
berant wrinkles, of which the two outer form the 
cutting edges ; the lower mandible consists only of 
two flexible branches, which accommodate themselves 
to the extension of the membranous pouch attached 
to them, and which hangs below as a sack in fa- 
shion of a bow-net. This pouch can hold more than 
twenty quarts of liquid ; it is so wide and sq long, 
that a person may put his foot in it, or thrust his 
arm as far as the elbow f . The flesh of the pelican 
needed not to have been forbidden among the Jews 
as unclean, for it condemns itself by its bad taste, 
its marshy smell, and its oily fat, though some navi- 
gators have eaten of it J. Their flesh however is 

* Buffon. t Ibid. J Ibid.. 



202 

said, by Dampier, to be better than that of boobies 
or man-of-war birds. 

Cormorant *.*— These birds are also very nume- 
rous on this coast. The Cormorant is a pretty large 
bird, with webbed feet, which swims and dives with 
equal facility, and devours multitudes of fish ; it is 
nearly of the bulk of the goose, of a narrower form, 
rather thin than thick, and lengthened by a large 
tail more spread than usual in the aquatic birds f . 
The tail is rounded ; body black ; head somewhat 
crested ; bill blackish ; the base of the lower mandi- 
ble covered with a yellowish skin, extending under 
the chin, and forming a pouch, irides green ; chin 
white, surrounded with a yellowish arch ; tail long 
and lax, consisting of fourteen feathers ; thighs 
with a white spot, dotted with black ; legs black. 
Dampier says, their flesh has an exceedingly 
rank fishy taste ; however, it is pretty good, being 
very fat. 

Swallow :|:.-^Myriads of these birds are the oc- 
casional inhabitants of Honduras. The time of their 
residence is generally confined to the period of the 
rains, after which they totally disappear §. Most of 

''"■ » -, 

* Pekcanus Carbo. f BufFon. 

J Hirundo. § Henderson's Honduras, p. 146. 



20S 

these birds frequent marshy places, and skim the 
surface of the ground and water in search of insects, 
which they catch on the wing with great dexterity, 
by means of the enormous gape of their jaws. In • 
sects are their pecuHar and almost exclusive food, 
and it is for this reason swallows are regarded with a 
degree of superstitious tenderness in every country 
that abounds with noxious creatures of that descrip- 
tion. Swallows are equally incapable of bearing the 
extremes of heat and cold, and on that account, ex- 
cept in very temperate weather, they are oftener seen 
on the wing in the morning before the heat of the 
day becomes oppressive, and in the evenings to- 
wards sunset, than at any other times. ** As soon 
** as the dawn appears, they in a body quit their 
" place of rest, which is usually chosen amidst the 
" rushes of some watery savannah, and invariably 
" rise to a certain height in a compact spiral form, 
" and which at a distance often occasions them to 
" be taken for an immense column of smoke. This 
*' attained, they are then seen separately to disperse 
" in search of food, the occupation of their day. To 
" those who may have had the opportunity of bb- 
" serving the phenomenon of a water-spout, the si- 
" milarity of evolution in the ascent of these birds 
" will be thought surprisingly striking. The de- 
" scent, which regularly takes place at sun-set, is 
" conducted much in the same way, but with in- 
" conceivable rapidity. And the noise which ac- 
C c 



204 

••companies it, can only be compared to the falling 
" of an immense torrent, or the rushing of a violent 
** gust of wind *." Buffon remarks, with many 
other observers, that, in the islands and continent of 
America, there is often a great difference between 
the plumage of the male and female of the same 
species, and often a still greater in the same indivi- 
dual at different ages. There are various species of 
this bird, the occasional visitants of the bay of Hon- 
duras, among which however we shall only notice 
the following. 

The Rain Bird f .— This species is about the size 
t>£ a sparrow-hawk, and of a darkish, mottled 
and striped colour. It is seldom seen ; but when 
it flies it takes a thousand turns in its flight, which 
generally is very lofty. The bill is very short, but 
thicker than is common to the kind in general, and 
a little arched J. Some naturalists have referred 
this bird to a different genus, the Caprimulgus^ or 
Goat Sucker, 

Black or Martin Swallow §. — The length of 
this bird is nearly six inches ; the bill black, and 



• Henderson's Honduras, p. 147. 
t Hirundo.-^CaprimuIgus Carolinensts, 
5 Browne's History of Jamaica, p, 467. 
§ Hirundo Nigra. 



205 

iialf an inch long ; the tail is forked ; and the 
wings longer by nearly an inch and a half. 

St Domingo Swallow *, is of the size of 
the chimney-swallow ; the bill and legs are brown ; 
and its song resembles that of the lark. They ge- 
nerally frequent the most lofty hills, where they fly 
at a very considerable height, particularly on the 
approach of storms. They are then seen skimming 
in great numbers, but seldom show themselves at 
other times. 

Humming Bird -[•. — Of all animated beings, this 
bird is the most elegant in its form, and the most 
brilliant in its colours. The precious stones and 
metals polished by art cannot be compared to this 
jewel of nature. The emerald, the ruby, the topaz, 
sparkle in its plumage, which is never soiled by the 
dust of the ground. It inhabits the air ; it flutters 
from flower to flower ; it breathes their freshness ; 
it feeds on their nectar, and resides in climates 
where they blow in perpetual succession J. All the 
birds of this kind are easily distinguished by their 
very delicate make, various glossy colours, small 
size, long slender arched bills, very short legs and 

• Hirundo TkmiiniceHsis, 
+ IWcchillus, 
X Buffon. 

C C 2 



206 

thighs, and swift easy flight. They live chiefly 
upon the nectar of flowers, which they sip upon the 
wing, and pass from one blossom or tree to another 
wdth inconceivable agility *. The singular ferocity 
of this little creature is astonishing. Disappointed 
of its repast, the honey of a flower, it has frequent- 
ly been observed to tear and scatter the leaves in 
the most passionate way f . Browne says, they are 
naturally very gentle ; but when they nestle, they 
grow fierce, and are frequently observed to chace 
the largest birds that come near their haunts with 
great fury :[:. They make their little nests chiefly 
of cotton, or the down of some other plants, inter- 
mixed with a few hairs and a little fine moss ; and 
fasten them generally to some small branch of an 
orange or lemon tree, where they are well covered 
by the foliage and larger branches §, " The Hum- 
" ming bird, in the greater number of its splendid 
" varieties, can perhaps be found in this country. 
" The Exilis, one of the most minute and beautiful 
** of this elegant tribe, is quite common ||." This 
bird ^ is brownish-green, with a gloss of red ; a 
glossy green crest with gilt tip, and with black 



• Browne's Natural History of Jamaica, p. 148. 

t Henderson's Honduras, p. 148. 

% Browne's History of Jamaica, p. 475. 

{ Ibid. p. 476. 

II Henderson's Honduras, p. 148. 

^ Trochilus Exilis, 



207 

wings and tail. Several observers have weighed 
birds of this species. Sloane found the weight of 
the smallest to be only twenty grains, while other 
authors mention a specimen that only weighed ten. 
The two eggs which are found in its nest, are not 
larger than coriander seeds. 



208 



FISHES. 

Rock Fish *. — This is much esteemed, and ge- 
nerally reckoned one of the best fishes in America. 

Grooper f . — This species is more chubbed and 
covered with smaller scales than the former, and is 
thought even to excel it in taste. 

Jew Fish:^. — This species has a considerable re- ^ 
semblance to the preceding, and in point of deli- | 
cacy and richness is reckoned superior to most of 
the fishes of Europe. Some of them have been 
known to weigh two or three hundred pounds. 

Black Snapper §. — There are two kinds of this 
fish, one of which seldom exceeds eight inches in 
length, and about four in breadth, the other grows 
to a pretty considerable size, and is esteemed one of 
the best fishes found in this country. 

Red Snapper ||. — This and the preceding are of a 
more delicate make than the other species of the 
Co7'acinus, and are covered with larger scales than 

• Coracinus, Browne. + Ibid. X Ibid. 

J Ibid. II CoTMcinus Rubcllus, Browne. 



209 

the rest. This fish is also held in estimation, al- 
though not considered so delicate as the black-kind. 

Hog Fish *. — There are two species of this fish, 
which are essentially different from each other both 
in size and colour. They are both of an oblong 
form, flatted on the sides, and broad beyond the 
common proportion. This fish grows to a moderate 
size, and is esteemed one of the best that swim in 
those seas ; it is both rich and delicate. 

SwoRD-Fisnf. — This fish is generally about 
three feet in length, very flat, and not above two or 
three inches broad. They are very swift in their 
motion, and seem to be fishes of prey ; for they are 
frequently found marked with scars, which is a 
sure demonstration of their pugnatious nature. 

Gar-Fish J. — The body is long, roundish and 
slender in proportion ; and generally about three 
feet or better in length ; but never above two inch- 
es in diameter. It is a fish of prey, and runs with 
great agility on the surface of the water, leaping 
frequently from place to place, for many yards to- 
gether. It is a firm, dry, wholesome fish ; but the 



• Helops, Browne. 

t GymnogaUer, Browne. 

X Esox, Browne. 



bones are always green, which prejudices many 
.people against it : the eggs are very large *. 

Piper f . — This fish seldom exceeds twelve or fif- 
,teen inches in length. The body is of an. oblong 
form, and obtusely quadrangular. The upper part 
of the body is green, beneath yellow, and the back 
marked with about six broad and equidistant bands 
of fuscous. This fish is esteemed a great delicacy 
for the table. 

Pike f . — This fish bears a strong resemblance to 
the common pike, but is more slender towards the 
tail ; the colour brown above, beneath paler. 

Baracouta §. — There are two species of this 
fish, one of them, sometimes called the Sinnet, sel- 
dom exceeds seventeen inches in length, but the 
other grows frequently to be three feet and a half 
or better. They are fishes of prey, and seldom 
spare any thing that comes in their way ; but the 
large species is very ravenous and daring in its at- 
tempts : they are both firm and palatable fishes, 
and much esteemed by many people. tx 



♦Browne's Natural History of Jamaica, p. 443. 
f Esox Brasiliensis, 
i Esox Fulpes. 
§ Perca, Browne. 



211 

Parrot-Fish ^.—This fish has a most beautiful 
lustre, and even surpasses the dolphin, both in the 
variety of shades, and the brightness of its native 
colour. The head is finely variegated ; the irides 
a flame-colour edged with blue. On the middle of 
the body towards the back is a rhomboid purple 
spot, accompanied by green, yellow, and blue va- 
riegations ; the dorsal and anal fin are leniar, the 
former commencing from the head, and reaching 
like the ventral fin to the tail, which is even at the 
extremity. The colours are evanescent, being ob^ 
served to vanish as the fish expires. It is very ge- 
nerally considered poisonous, and therefore never 
eaten f . In Jamaica and many parts of America, 
several other varieties of the Parrot-Fish are fre^ 
quently served up at table, although not much e&^ 
teemed* 

MuD-FiSH J.-i-The species of this tribe ar6 easily 
distinguished by the fleshy appendicule at the a* 
nus : they are, in general, of a drowsy nature, and 
keep commonly about the bottom, between tht 
weeds. This fish frequently grows to the length of 
seventeen or twenty inches, and is considered a pe- 
culiarly delicate fish, when in full perfection. 

* Coryptimna Psittacu^, Linn. 
+ Henderson's Honduras, p. 15Q. 
X Vehnatia, Browne. 

D d 



Mullet*. — This fish is of an oblong and pretty 
tumid form: the head is somewhat depressed, 
rounded, and thin, and the mouth small. 

. Calapaver f , — This fish is so like the foregoing, 
both in habit and appciarance, that it is generally 
thought to be the same species in a more perfect 
state ; it is commonly about two feet or better in 
length, and is looked upon as a very delicate fish. 
The eggs of the Calapaver^s rowe are very large in 
proportion to the body :[:. 

Mountain Mullet §. — This fish is rich and 
very well tasted, and abounds with a thin yellow 
fat, that gives it a very delicate flavour. This 
species is thought particularly to excel ; it is a fresh 
water fish, and generally found in the mountain 
rivers ||. This fish is deemed the most choice of 
its species, and is usually caught at some distance 
Tip the rivers of this country ^. It is called by 
some authors the Silvery-white Mullet, and is said 
to be found in the American seas, particularly 
about the Bahama islands. 

* Mugii J Br OYfne, 

t Mugil. 

% Browne's Natural History of Jamaica, p. 451. 

f Mugil Alhula. 

It Browne's Natural History of Jamaica, p, 451 . 

IT Henderson's Honduras, p, 150. 



213 

Drummer ♦.r— This fish has- the dorsal fin 
nearly united ; and the second ray of the anal fin 
very large, thick and compressed. 

Stone Bass f .— The uppermost of the lamiruB 
that cover the gills is serrated in this fish ; and the 
scales are indented at the base> and the lips and 
pharynx denticulated. 

Grunt f. — ^This fish is thick and of a firm 
make, but in general, is not much esteemed. 

Spanish Mackarel ^.-— This fish is of an oblong 
form, but slightly flatted, and tapering very gra- 
dually towards both ends. The skin is smooth, and 
the lateral line remarkably crooked. 

King-Fish ||. — This fish is very like the fore^ 
going, both in make and appearance ; they are both 
hard dry eating, but answer extremely well cavee^ 
ched ; and when well dressed in that manner, are 
very agreeable to most persons. 



• Cromis, Browne. 
t Lahrus Cromis, Linn. 
X Cromis, Browne. 
§ Scomber, Browne. 
II Scomber, Browne. 

Dd2 



214 

Cavallee *.— -This is i^ coarse dry fish, and not 
much esteemed. 

Snook f.— -This fish grows to a considerable 
size, being frequently no less than three feet and a 
half in length, and proportionably thick and tumid, 
especially about the breast and belly. It is gene- 
rally looked upon as one of the best fish in Ame- 
rica, and eats very much like a full grown cod ; and 
i$ greatly admired by most people^ 

Old-Wife J.— The body of this fish is generally 
about twenty inches in length, and nine over. Be- 
fore it is dressed it must be skinned ; it is much 
liked in America ; and its name has given rise to a 
saying, viz. That an Old Wife is the best of fish, 
and the worst of flesh. 

Flounder §.-T-The lateral line is very small and 
straight in this fish, and crossed by several trans- 
verse black lines, formed by some of those small 
gcales that cover the surface of the skin. It is a 
very delicate fish. 



* Scomher, Browne, 
f Macrocephalus, Browne, 
% Balistes, Browne. 
f Phuronecte^, Browne. 



215 

Eel *.^-This fish is frequent in all the lagoons 
and rivers, and does not differ from those found in 
Europe. 

PoRGEE f . — This fish is of an even grey colour, 
and in form and appearance resembles the Bream. 
It is esteemed a good wholesome fish. 

Sprat J. — -This fish is somewhat larger than the 
common sprat, and is much admired for the sweet- 
ness of its flavour §. In the Windward Islands they 
are often found to be poisonous ||. This fish is 
about twelve or fourteen inches in length ; the back 
blueish green, with rows of brownish spots ; the 
sides of the head green, and of the body, silvery 
white. 

Porpoise ^, — The upper part of the body is of a 
blueish-black colour, and the lower white ; the 
head obtuse, with small eyes and teeth, the latter of 
which are acute, and the vent somewhat bilobate. 
The Porpoise lives chiefly on the smaller kinds of 
fish, and is observed when in quest of food, to turn 
up the sand and mud at the bottom of the water 

• Muroena, Browne. 

t iSparus. X Clupea Thrissu, 

§ Henderson's Honduras, p. 151. 

II Browne's History of Jamaica, p. ^iX 

% Dclphinus Phococna. 



216 

like the hog : it is often seen darting and tumbling 
over in the water like the dolphin, and it has been- 
remarked at sea, that they always swim against the 
wind. This animal is remarkably fat, and being 
covered immediately under the skin with a very 
thick coat of lard, affords an abundance of oil. 

Tropon ^. — This fish frequently grows to the 
length of two feet, or two feet and a half ; but it 
is so full of bones, that it is seldom used but in 
broths. It is considered by some naturalists as a 
species of the Scomber, and has been briefly cha- 
racterised by Linnaeus, as having the last ray of the 
dorsal fin longer than the rest. 

Sting-ray f. — This fish is perhaps the same with 
the Raja Pastinaca, and which is described as being 
armed on the upper part near the middle, with a 
very long, flattened, and sharp-pointed bone or spine, 
finely senated in a reversed direction on both sides : 
with this the animal is capable of inflicting very 
severe wounds on such as incautiously attempt to 
handle it ; and it answers the purpose both of an 
offensive and defensive weapon. A species of the 
Eaja called the Thresher, grows to a monstrous size, 
and is said to combine with the Sword fish to attack 
the Grampus. The Sting-ray, is frequently brought 

f Amiq. t Baja, 



217 

to table, and when well dressed, is liked by most 
people. 

Sheep-head.— This fish is found in the Bay of 
Honduras. 

Shark *.— This is one of the most ravenotss inha* 
bitants of the sea, and seldom spares any thing that 
comes in its way, let its nature or form be what it 
will. This fish is of a solitary nature, and will de- 
Tour with the most indiscriminating voracity almost 
every animal substance whether living or dead. The 
fore part of the head of the shark stretches a good 
way beyond the under jaw, which, when its motion 
is swift, frequently obliges it to turn upon its back 
to catch its prey more easily. The skin is rough 
and hard, and serves to scrape and polish all' sorts of 
hard-wood. 

Cat Fish f . — This is supposed to- be the same 
with the Squalus Stellaris* It is from two to six 
feet long, and feeds chiefly on crustaceous animals,, 
molluscae, and the smaller kinds of fish. 

Green Turtle J. --^This is one of the largest 
kind, often measuring above five ieet in length, and 
weighing more than 500 or 600 pounds. It is very 

* Squalus, t Squalus, $ Test u do Mi/das% 



21^ 

delicate and tender food while young ; the jiiic^s 
are reckoned great restoratives, and are often ob*. 
served to heal and smooth the skin in scorbutic and 
leprous habits ; nay, it is said even to cure the most 
obstinate venereal taints ^. The method of taking 
the turtle at the Bahama islands, is by striking them 
with a small iron peg two inches long, put in a 
socket at the end of a staff twelve feet long. Two 
men usually set out for this work in a little light 
boat or canoe, one to row and gently steer the boat, 
while the other stands at the head of it with his 
striker. The turtle are sometimes discovered by 
their swimming with their head and back out of 
the water, but they are oftenest discovered lying at 
the bottom, a fathom or more deep. If a turtle per- 
ceives he is discovered, he starts up to make his 
escape, the men in the boat pursuing him, endea- 
vour to keep sight of him, which they often lose, 
and recover again by the turtle putting his nose out 
of the water to breathe : thus they pursue him, one 
paddling or rowing, while the other stands ready with 
his striker. It is sometimes half an hour before he 
is tired ; then he sinks at once to the bottom, which 
gives them an opportunity of striking him, which 
is by piercing him with an iron peg, which slips out 
of the socket, but is fastened with a string to the 
pole. If he be spent and tired by being long pur- 

* Browne's History of Jamaica, p. 463. 



219 

sued, he tamely submits, when struck, to be taken, 
into the boat or hauled ashore. 

Logger-head Turtle *. — ^This species is larget 
than any yet discovered. It resembles the green 
turtle, but is distinguished by the superior size of 
the head, the proportional breadth of the shell, and 
by its deeper and more variegated colours. In a 
commercial view, this species is of little importance ; 
its flesh being rank and coarse, and the laminae of 
the shell too thin for general use. It is said, however, 
to afford a good quantity of oil, which may be used 
for lamps, &c» 

Hawk's-bill Turtle f.'^-The flesh of this species^ 
although frequently used in all parts of America, is 
not so delicate nor so much esteemed as that of 
the green turtle ; but its scales are the most va^ 
lued, being generally the thickest and best colour- 
ed J. The whole spoils of the tortoise consist in 
thirteen leaves or scales, eight of them flat, and five 
a little bent. Of the flat ones, there are four large 
ones, sometimes a foot long, and seven inches 
broad §. The lamellae are semi-transparent, and 
elegantly variegated with whitish, yellowish, red- 

* Testudo Caretia, 

+ Testudo Imhricata. 

% Browne's Natural History of Jamaica, p. 465. 

§ Mortimer's Commercial Dictianary. 

Ee 



220 

dish, and datk brown clouds and undulations, so 
as to constitute, when properly prepared and polish- 
ed, one of the most elegant articles for ornamental 
purposes. These laminae form the external coating, 
and this is raised or separated from the bony part, 
which it covers, by placing fire beneath the shell ; 
the heat soon causing the plates to start, so as to be 
easily detached from the bone.^ These plates vary 
in thickness according to the age and size of the 
animal, and measure from an eighth to a quarter of 
an inch in thickness. A large turtle is said to af- 
ford about eight pounds of tortoise-shell ; or, ac- 
cording to M. Schoepf, from five to fifteen, or twen- 
ty pounds ; and unless the animal itself be about 
the weight of 150 pounds, the shell is not much 
'worth,' 

Terrapin ^. — ^The body of this species is gene- 
rally of a compressed oval form, and seldom exceeds 
eight or nine inches in length. It lives chiefly 
among the weeds that grow about the different la- 
goons. It is looked upon as delicate wholesome 
food by many people f . 

HiCATEE f .— This species, though smaller than 



• Testudo Palastris. 

t Browne*s Natural History of Jamaica, p. 465^ 

1 Testudo Sulcata, 



m 

the sea turtle, is in no other respect inferior ; it k 
found in the rivers and creeks of the interior*. 
The shell is very deep, and often above a foot and a 
half in length ; but the surface is generally divided 
into oblong hexagons, yellow in the centre, and ra- 
diated with slender even streaks from thence to the 
circumference f . 

Cray-Fish J, — This is sometimes called the Sea- 
Lobster, and is extremely plentiful, and much ad- 
mired for the whiteness and delicacy of its meat. 
It sometimes grows to a very considerable size. 

Crabs §. — The species found in this country are 
very numerous. They are all much esteemed, ancj 
may be caught in great numbers. 

Mangrove Oyster ||. — It receives its name from 
its adhering in clusters to the branches and roots of 
the tree of this name. It has a thin shell, and va- 
ries in form and size, but is often as large as the 
palm of the hand. This oyster is considered very 
little inferior in taste to the European, either in 



^ Henderson's Honduras, p. ] 52. 

t Browne's History of Jamaica, p. 4:66. 

J Cancer Cosruksceiis, 

§ Cancer. 

}| Osirea Parasitica, 

Ee'2 



22% 

flavour or delicacy, " It is a circumstance of no 
" small utility in an infant settlement, that the 
" mouths of many of the principal rivers produce a 
" prodigious quantity of oysters, both of the man- 
** grove and flat species ; of the latter sort, there 
** are banks that appear inexhaustible ; so that with 
*' respect to food, the inhabitants of this country 
^* seem almost to be exempted from the general 
^* curse entailed upon our first parents *." 

CoN()UE-j-. — This shell-fish is plentifully found 
^bout the different keys, and is esteemed a whole- 
some and nutritious food. Before they are dressed, 
it is necessary to beat them with a wooden mallet, 
to make them tender, 

WiLK J, is found in abundance in the neigh- 
bourhood of the small islets on the coast, and is 
considered as both an wholesome and agreeable 
food. 



* Edwards* Account of the British Settlements on the Mos- 
quito Shore, Vol. 5th, App. p. 208. 
t Concha, . J Bolium, 



223 



KEPTILES. 



Rattle-snake *, — A small species of this snake 
is said to be met with about the high-lands adjacent 
to the Bay of Honduras ; but is seldom found so large 
as in the American States f . 

Black-snake J. — This little reptile is very slender, 
and extremely active ; it is generally from two feet 
and a half to three feet, or better, in length. It is 
perfectly harmless. " I have never heard of any da- 
" mage done by them, though they are frequent ia 
" most of the colonies §." 

Tommy Goff. — A venomous species of snake 
found in the neighbourhood of Balize. 

Barbers Pole. — Another venomous species found 
at the same place. They usually infest out-house^ 
or thatched buildings [|. 

WowLER ^. — This snake is said sometimes to be 

* Crotalus. t Henderson's Honduras, p. 1^3. 

J Coluber. 

§ Browne's History of Jamaica, p. 4-6 1, 

II Henderson's Honduras, p. 1^4. 

^ Coluber, 



224 

as big as a man's waist, and twelve or fourteen feet 
long, with a very wide mouth : when they lie 
stretched out at length, they appear like old fallen 
trunks of trees, covered with a short moss *. ** Its 
" appearance is certainly terrific ; but it is only in 
" this way that it is alarming, as it has never been 
" known to hurt the human species. It is never- 
** theless a mortal enemy to birds generally, and to 
" the smaller kinds of animals, which it usually 
" swallows entire f ." This species of snake is 
found in considerable numbers in the island of Rua- 
tan. 

Iguana J. — This species of Lizard has a long round 
tail ; back serrated ; the throat crest denticulated. 
This, of all the lizard tribe, is of the most peculiar 
form, and grows to a considerable size. It is some- 
times three, four, or five feet long. The general 
colour is green, but variously shaded in different ani- 
mals. The back is strongly serrated, which, as well 
as the denticulations of the pouch of the throat, 
gives it rather a formidable appearance. It has the 
power of inflating the throat pouch to a very large 
size. It frequents rocky and woody places, and 
feeds chiefly on insects and vegetables. The Igua.- 



* Introduction to Jeffrey's West India Atlas, p. 1 7. 
f Henderson's Honduras, p. lai. 
J Lacerta Iguanx, 



225 

Da is a native of most parts of America, and general- 
ly an inhabitant of the woods ; but, like most of 
the tribe, lives a very considerable time without 
food, and changes its colour with the weather, or 
the native moisture of its place of residence ^. The 
flesh is reckoned a great delicacy, and is usually 
dressed as a fricassee, in which state they are often 
preferred to the best fowls. The Iguana may 
be easily tamed while young, and is both 
an innocent and beautiful creature in that state f . 
It will follow the human race like a dog ; it is 
caught by a noose thrown over its head, and like- 
wise by dogs trained for that purpose. 

Basilisk J* — This lizard is about eighteen inchss 
long, of a pale ash-brown colour, with some darker 
variegations about the upper part of the body. It 
resides principally among trees, and its food is in- 
sects. It is active, and by means of its dorsal crest 
or fin, it is enabled to spring from tree to tree. 
It can swim with great ease. It has a very formi- 
dable appearance, but is quite harmless. 

Gally-Wasp §. — 'This reptile is most frequently 



• Browne's History of Jamaica, p. 462. 

+ Ibid. 

J Lacerta Basilicu^. 

S Lacerta. -^Occidn a y^h^w. 



226 

met with in the woods, and about old buildings ; it 
is likewise sometimes observed in low marshy 
places. It is generally of a dirty colour, clouded 
with cross stripes of a lighter or darker hue, and 
changes often from that to a fine golden yellow. 
It is generally from one to two feet or better in 
length *. The bite of this animal was never known 
to be mortal ; but the effects of it have frequently 
been exasperated by terror, and the ridiculous me- 
thod of cure. It is but very seldom such accidents 
can happen, as this creature is both shy and timid, 
and never bites, unless when trod upon, or other- 
wise hurt. " Although they have been vulgarly 
" reputed most venomous creatures, yet there has 
" not been one well attested account, to prove that 
" they are so in the smallest degree, more than 
" other animals of equal size, such as large rats, fer- 
" rets, &c. whose bite is severe, but not malig- 
"nantf." 

Wood-Slave J.-— This species is generally thought 
to be venomous. Browne states he never knew an 
instance of it ; and Henderson says, " the gxeater 
** number of the members of this class will be found, 
" if prejudice can be surmounted, and the least en- 



* Browne's History of Jamaica, p. 463. 

t Long's History of Jamaica, Vol. 3d, p. 879* 

% Lacreta, 



227 

s" couragement be extended towards them, the 
" most inoffensive little creatures in nature, and that 
** it may even be soon brought into a state of play- 
" ful familiarity *. " They are generally of a flat- 
ted oblong form, and taper gradually and almost 
equally towards both ends f * 



• Henderson's Honduras, p. 155. 

t Browne's History of Janiaici, p. 463. 



F f 



2m 



INSECTS. 

MusquETOE^.^-^These insects are of the gnat tribe, 
^nd subsist on the blood and juices of larger ani- 
mals, which they suck by means of their proboscis. 
They are very troublesome to all new comers : 
their usual time of sallying forth is about sun-set ; 
and from this time till the morning, they possess 
the greatest activity. During the former part of 
the day, they are commonly torpid, and forced by 
the violence of the breeze, to keep in their hiding 
places f . The fire-flies are natural enemies to the 
Musquetoes, and feed upon them. The Indians 
having discovered this, used to attract these flies 
with lighted torches ; and when they had caught a 
sufficient number, let them loose in their huts at 
night, to drive the Musquetoes from their hammocks; 
which office, they are said to have performed very 
eflfectually J. 

Sand-fly J.-- .These little insects assault the 
hands and face, and though extremely minute, their 
sting is sensibly felt, though the effect is rather 
teazing than pauiful : they seldom go into the 

i Long's History of Jamaica, Vol Sd^ p, 883. J Ibid. 
g^ Odea, 



houses, keeping generally about the shores and open 
sandy bays, where they are very busy every calm 
evening. 

Fire-fly ^.— There are two or three species of 
this curious insect found in this country. A per- 
son may, with great ease, read the smallest print by 
the light of one of these insects, if held between the 
fingers and moved gradually along the lines, with 
the luminous spots immediately over the letters ; 
about eight or ten of them being put into a clear 
vial, will give light enough to read or write very 
clearly by. They are very seldom seen in the day 
time, but wake in the evening, and continue both 
to move and glow for a considerable part of th$ 
night f. 

Cock Roach J.— .These insects are very flat, and 
creep into every chest or drawer where they find the 
least crevice ; the greatest care ought to be taken 
to prevent this, as they impart to every thing they 
touch a most offensive smell. This creature throws 
off its outward coat very frequently, and appears 
quite fresh and young after every change §. They 
are exceedingly industrious in gleaning up such 
filth and nastiness, as the slovenly neglect of bad 



• fJatrr. f Browne's History of Jamaica, p. 4-52^ 

i LlaiUu % Ibid, p. 4U. 

Ff 2 



230 

housewives have left in holes and corners undisturb- 
ed by the broom ^. 

Chigger f . — The body of this insect is reddish- 
brown ; abdomen of the female, w^hen gravid, orbi- 
cular and swollen to near a hundred times its usual 
size. This insect is common in all the tropical re- 
gions of America. Where there are many hogs, 
there is usually much of this sort of vermin J, It 
is often extremely troublesome, penetrating into the 
skin of the toes and feet of the inhabitants, where 
it lodges its eggs, and frequently causes sores and 
ulcers : this is not performed, however, without 
creating an intolerable itching in the part, which 
gives notice of the attempt to form a lodgement ; in 
which case, it is thought adviseable to extract it 
with the bag, by carefully managing the point of a 
needle, to clear it without breaking the membrane ; 
and the cavity is immediately filled up with tobac- 
co-ashes, which allay the itching, and prevent a 
sore. Uncleanly persons, or those who seldom wash 
their feet, are most frequently subject to this an- 
noyance. They may be destroyed without extract- 
ing, by the application of a cataplasm, made with 
Castile soap and train oil mixed ; sometimes a little 

* Long's History of Jamaica, Vol. 3d, p, 8S7. 

'^ Pulex Penetrans. 

I Gage's Nqw J^urvey of the West Indies, p. I660. 



231 

aloes is added; a poultice of pounded cassada root, 
answers the like purpose *. 

Cochineal f. — The body of this insect is depres- 
sed, downy, and transversely wrinkled ; the ab- 
domen is purplish, the legs short and black, the 
antenae subulate, and about one -third of the length 
of the body. This insect is of the torpid sort, and 
performs all the necessary offices of life while it is 
small ; but it soon grows large, and then lives aU 
most motionless for the remaining part of life J. 
The female of the cochineal insect, in its full grown 
or torpid state of pregnancy, swells to such a size in 
proportion to that of its infant state, that the legs, 
antennae, and proboscis, are scarcely to be discover- 
ed. It is the female only that is valuable for its 
dye. The male is a small and rather slender, two 
winged fly, about the size of a flea, or still smaller, 
with jointed antennae, and large white wings in pro- 
portion to the body, which is of a red colour, with 
two long filaments proceeding from the tail. It is 
an active and lively animal, and is dispersed in 
small numbers among the females, in the proportion 
of one male to a hundred, and according to so me 
writers three hundred. 

The substance known in commerce by the name 

* Long's History of Jamaica, Vol. 3d, p. 883. 

t Coccus Cacti. 

i Browne's Natural History of Janraica, p. 436= 



of cochineal, is the most precious of all our 
dyeing drugs ; it is in the form of hemispherical 
shrivelled grains, about an eighth of an inch long, of 
a deep reddish-purple colour, and covered more or 
less with a white down : they are very light and 
easily rubbed to powder between the fingers. Some 
of it is of a dusky grey, and the surface, with a mix- 
ture of red in it, and this is esteemed the finest of all. 
The Spanish merchants distinguish at least two kinds, 
the best or domesticated, called g?'ana fina, and 
the wild, or grana sylvcsii^a ; of these the latter is 
not more than half the size of the former, and is 
covered with a much longer dov/n ; on which ac- 
count it always bears a much lov/er price in the 
market. Bat in trade, four sorts of cochineal are 
distinguished, mastique, campeschane, tetruschale, 
and Sfjhwster ; of which the first sort is esteemed 
the best, and the last sort the worst. 

The cochineal insect is a native of Mexico, and 
was in common use among the inhabitants as a 
dyeing drug when the Spaniards first came into the 
country ; since that period its use has become more 
and more general, not only in Europe, but in vari- 
ous parts of Asia ; and, as ahuost the whole of this 
valuable commodity is still raised in Mexico, Peru, 
and the adjoining Spanish settlements, it becomes 
every year an object of more sedulous cultivation 
than before. 

The plants upon which these insects arc raised b7 



25S 

tlie cultivators of cochineal, is the nopal, or aopal- 
leca of the Indians, called by some the Indian fig* 
tree, and by botanists the cactus opuntia, or prickly 
pear-tree. The culture of this plant for the pur- 
pose, consists merely in lopping the rotten or decay-? 
ed branches, and removing other plants and weeds 
away that may injure them. Those they plant in 
an u'giilaceous earth intermixed with gravel and 
stones. The Indians of the provinces of Guaxaca 
and Oxaca, who attend particularly to the culture 
of the nopals, plant them near their habitations, and 
call them nopalaries* 

The juice of the nopal, on v/hich these insects 
breed, is their sole subsistence. About the 15th 
October, which in Mexico is the commencement 
of the fine season, they distribute the cohineals 
upon the nopals. This operation consists merely 
in placing the females, while they are yet young 
and active, in a number of sm.all nests among 
the leaves, from whence they wander about over 
various parts of the plant in search of the particular 
branches to w^hich they afterwards attach them- 
selves, and are visited by the males. 

When the insects are at their full growth, they 
are gathered and put into pots of earthenware, but 
much attention is requisite to prevent them from 
getting out, as in that case great numbers of them 
would be lost ; though there is no danger of this 
when they are at liberty on the nopal, this being 



234 



their natural resort ; for though they often remove 
from one leaf to another, they never quit the plant ;- 
nor is it uncommon to see the leaves entirely cover- 
ed with thenl, especially when they are arrived at 
maturity. When they are confined some time in 
these pots, they are killed, and put into bags. 

The Indians have three different methods of kill-* 
ing these insects ; one by immersing them in hot 
water, another by fire, and the third by exposing 
them to the burning rays of the sun. Those who 
use hot water are very careful to give it the requi^ 
site heat, and that the quantity of water be propor- 
tioned to the number of insects. The method of 
kilhng them by fire is to put them in shovels, in an 
oven moderately heated for the purpose, the fine 
quaHty of the cochineal depending on its not being 
over dried at the time of kiUing the insects. Some 
also are killed by the fumes of heated vinegar, and 
others by smoke. Those killed and dried in the 
sun, seem hov/ever to have the preference. 

At the third annual gathering of cochineal, a cer- 
tain number of females are left adhering to branch- 
es of the nopal, which are then broken off* and kept 
carefully under cover during the rainy season ; when 
this is over, the stock of cochineal, thus preserved, is 
distributed over the whole plantation of nopals, 
where they soon multiply with great rapidity. In 
the space of two months, the first crop is gathered 
by detaching the insects with a blunt knife, after 



235 

which they are put into bags, and dipped in hot 
water to kill them, and finally dried in the sun, by 
which they lose about two-thirds of their weight. 

JefFeries, in his introduction to the West India 
Atlas, says, that cochineal is obtained from the Mos- 
quito territory, although only in small quantities ; 
and as it is known to be a native of the adjoining 
Spanish Provinces, there is little doubt, that it would 
flourish here, in equal perfection, if some of the set- 
tlers were to give their attention to it, and com- 
mence by introducing the nopal into their gardens. 



Gg 



236 



AGRICULTURE. 

Previous to making a few remarks upon the dif- 
ferent productions of the vegetable kingdom, that 
might be cultivated in this country with success, it 
will be proper to state the expence of labour. The 
native Indians readily engage themselves to any of 
the settlers, for a given time, and at a fixed price. 
Their wages, in general, are about twenty-five shil- 
lings sterling per month ; but as they commonly 
prefer receiving clothing and other articles in lieu 
of money, the most advantageous way for a settler, 
is to keep a supply of s^uch articles always by him, 
which if he purchases with ready money, will prove 
a considerable saving to him, and consequently re- 
duce the price of labourage. It is customary for 
the settlers to feed their Indian labourers, but this 
after the first four months, by which time he will 
have a crop of Indian corn, will amount to almost 
nothing, as the only articles necessary for him to 
purchase are rum and ammunition : one Indian in a 
single day's hunting or fishing, being able to supply 
the whole family, however numerous, with provi- 
sions for a week, consisting of venison, wild hogs, 
game, turtle, fish, oysters, &c. : taking this into 
consideration, I estimate the yearly expence of each 
Indian labourer to an established settler at ^13 
per annum, and to d. new settler at £16 per an- 



237 

num ; to which may be added, the additional sum 
of ^4 for provisions, the first year, which will make 
in all &%0 per annum, for the expence of each la- 
bourer. 

The principal articles of produce adapted for cul- 
tivation in this country, are the Sugar-cane, Cotton, 
Indigo, Coffee, Cocoa, Tobacco, Rice, Maize, Pi- 
mento, Ginger, Anoto, Aloes or Agave,, and Cochi- 
neal. But as the soil and climate is universally ad- 
mitted to be superior to that of the West India Is- 
lands, there can be no doubt, that all the produc- 
tions that are raised in them, would flourish here, 
not only as well, but even in a superior manner ; it 
is therefore probable, that the following articles 
would well repay the labour of the settler, and be 
attended with the greatest prospect of success, viz. 
Bombay yellow Cotton, Ipecacuana, Jalap, Lupins, 
Mulberries, Olives, Senna, Silk, Silk-Grass, Sar- 
saparilla. Saffron, Turmeric, Vines, &c. Many of 
these are indigenous of the Mosquito territory, 
and flourish spontaneously in wild, but native luxu^ 
riance, 

Sugar Cane. — This plant is a jointed reed, ter- 
minating in leaves or blades, whose edges are finely 
and sharply serrated. The body of the cane is 
strong but brittle, and when ripe, of a fine straw co- 
lour, inclinable to yellow ; and it contains a soft 
pithy substance, which affords a copious supply of 
Gg2 



238 

juice of a sweetness the least cloying and most agree- 
able in nature. The intermediate distance between 
each joint of the cane varies according to the na- 
ture of the soil ; in general, it is from one to three 
inches in length, and from half an inch to an inch 
in diameter. The length of the cane depends upon 
circumstances ; in general, it measures from three 
and a half to seven feet, exclusive of the flag part. 
liatoons are the suckers that spring from the roots 
or stoles of the canes that have been previously cut, 
and are commonly ripe in twelve months. Canes 
of the finest growth are called plant-canes ; they are 
the immediate produce of the original plants, and 
require from fifteen to seventeen months to bring 
them to maturity. The first yearly return from 
their roots, are calledj^r^^ ratoons; the second year's 
growth, second ratoons ; and so on, according to 
their age. In most parts of the West Indies it is 
usual to hole and plant a certain proportion of the 
pane land (commonly one-third) in annual succession. 
This, in the common mode of holing the ground by 
the hoe, is frequently attended with great and ex- 
cessive labour to the cultivators, which is saved al- 
together by the system we are treating of. By the 
latter method, the planter, instead of stocking up 
his ratoons, and holing and planting the land anew, 
suffers the stoles to continue in the ground, and con- 
tents himself, as his cane fields become thin and im- 
poverished, by supplying the vacant spaces with 
fresh plants. 



239 

The usual mode "of holing by manual labour is 
this :— The quantity of land intended to be planted 
being cleared of weeds and other incumbrances, is 
divided into several plats of certain dimensions, com- 
monly from fifteen to twenty acres each ; the spaces 
betv/een each plat or division are left wide enough 
for roads, for the convenience of carting. Each 
plat is then subdivided, by means of a line and 
wooden pegs, into small squares of about three feet 
and a half. The labourers are then placed in a row 
in the first line, one to each square, and dig out 
with their hoes the several squares, commonly to the 
depth of five or six inches. The mould which is 
dug up being formed into a bank at the lower side, 
the cane-hole will be about fifteen inches in width 
at the bottom, and two feet and a half at the top. 
They then fall back to the next line, and proceed as 
before. Thus the several squares between each line 
are formed into a trench of much the same dimen- 
sions with that which is made by the plough. The 
cane-holes or trench being now completed, and the 
cuttings selected for planting, two of them are 
placed longitudinally in the bottom of each, and co- 
vered with mould about two inches deep ; the rest 
of the bank being intended for future use. In 
about fourteen days the young sprouts begin to ap- 
pear, and as soon as they rise a few inches above the 
ground, they ought to be carefully cleared of weeds, 
and furnished with an addition of mould from the 



240 

banks. This is usually performed by the hand. At 
the end of four or five months, the banks are wholly 
levelled, and the spaces between the rows carefully 
hoed. Frequent cleanings, while the canes are 
young, are absolutely necessary, and all the suckers 
that spring up after the canes begin to joint, ought 
to be carefully removed. 

The best seasons for planting is between August 
and the beginning of November. By having the 
advantage of the autumnal rains, the young canes 
become sufficiently luxuriant to shade the ground 
before the dry weather sets in ; thus the roots are 
kept cool and the earth moist. 

The system of cultivation among planters, who 
are well supplied with labourers, consists in planting 
a fourth or fifth part of their land in October, No- 
vember, and December ; in digging very deep 
trenches, for the greater nourishment of the root ; in 
planting at great distances, for the benefit of a freer 
circulation of the air, and in cutting the canes in 
the four finest months, viz. February, March, April 
and May, because the sugar is then the finest, the 
canes are cultivated with the least trouble, and 
supply (as is supposed) greater quantities of it. In 
most parts of the West Indies, it is usual to hole 
and plant a certain portion of the cane land (com- 
monly CHie-third) in annual succession. The com- 
mon yielding of this land, on an average, is seven 
hogsheads of 16 cwt, to ten acres, which are cut an- 
nually. 



241 

When the canes are from seven to ten feet high, 
and of proportionable size, the skin smooth, drj, 
and brittle ; if they are heavy, their pith grey, or 
inclinable to brown, the jiiice sweet and glutinous, 
they are esteemed in perfection. The time for cut- 
ting them is usually after twelve cr fifteen months 
growth ; but this varies according to the soil and the 
season. 

The sugar-mill in which the canes are bruised, is 
very simple, and consists principally of three verti- 
cal iron-plated rollers, or cylinders, from thirty to 
forty inches in length, and from twenty to twenty- 
five inches in diameter; and the middle one, to which 
the moving power is applied, turns the other two by 
means of cogs. Between these rollers, the canes are 
twice compressed. The cane-juice is received in a 
leaden bed, and thence conveyed into a vessel called 
the receiver. The refuse or eane-trash, as it is cal- 
led, serves for fuel to boil the liquor. Sugar-mills 
are worked by cattle, wind, or streams of water ; 
and since the improved steam-engines of Mr Watt 
have become general, many steam sugar-mills have 
been sent out to the West Indies and South A- 
merica. 

The process for obtaining sugar is thus conduct- 
ed. The juice or liquor runs from the receiver to 
the boiling-house, along a wooden gutter lined with 
lead. In the boiling-house it is received (accord- 
ing to the modern improved system, which almost 



242 

universally prevails in Jamaica) into one of the cop- 
per pans or cauldrons called clarifiers. Of these, 
there are commonly three ; and their dimensions are 
generally determined by the power of supplying 
them with liquor. There are water-mills that will 
grind, with the greatest ease, canes sufficient for 
thirty hogsheads of sugar in a week. On plantations 
thus happily provided, the means of quick boiling 
are indispensably requisite, or the cane-liquor will 
unavoidably become tainted before it can be ex- 
posed to the fire. The purest cane-juice will not 
remain twenty minutes in the receiver without 
fermenting. As cane-juice is so very liable to fer- 
mentation, it is necessary also that the canes should 
be ground as soon as possible after they are cut, 
and great care taken to keep and throw aside those 
which are tainted, which may be ground for the 
still house. Plantations that make, on a medium, 
during crop-time, from fifteen to twenty hogsheads 
of sugar per week ; on such estates, three clarifiers 
of three or four hundred gallons each are sufficient : 
with pans of this size, the liquor, when clarified, 
may be drawn off at once, and there is leisure to 
cleanse the vessels every time they are used. Each 
clarifier is provided either with a syphon or cock 
for drawing off the liquor. It has a flat bottom, 
^nd is hung to a separate fire chimney, having an 
iron slider, which being shut, the fire goe^ out for 
want of air. 



243 

Tlie stream from the receiver having filled the 
clarifier with fresh liquor, and the fire being light- 
ed, the temper^ which is commonly Bristol-white 
lime in powder, is stirred into it. One great in- 
tention of this is to neutralize the superabundant 
acid ; to get properly rid of which, is the great dif- 
ficulty in sugar-making. This is generally effected 
by the alkali or lime ; part of which, at the same 
time, becomes the basis of the sugar* The quanti- 
ty necessary for this purpose, must of course, vary 
with the quality both of the lime and the cane-li- 
quor. Some planters allow a pint of Bristol lime 
to every hundred gallons of liquor, but this propor- 
tion is, Mr Edwards belie ves^ generally found too 
large. The lime is perceptible in the sugar, both 
to the smell and taste, and precipitates in the cop- 
per pans a black insoluble calx, which scorches the 
bottom of the vessel, and is not detached without 
difficulty. 

As the fire increases in force, and the liquot 
grows hot, a scum is thrown up, which is formed of 
the mucilage or gummy matter of the cane, with 
some of the oil, and such impurities as the muci- 
lage is capable of entangling. The heat is now suf- 
fered gradually to increase, until it"rises within a few 
degrees of the heat of boiling water. The liquor must 
by no means be suffered to boil ; it is known to be 
sufficiently heated, when the scum begins to rise 
into blisters, which break into white froth, and ap- 

H h 



244 

pear in general in about forty minutes. The dam- 
per is then applied, and the fire extinguished, after 
which the liquor is suffered to remain a full hour, 
if circumstances will permit, undisturbed. During 
this interval, great part of the feculencies and im- 
purities will attract each other, and rise in the 
scum. The liquor is now carefully drawn off either 
by a syphon, which draws up a pure defecated stream 
through the scum, or by means of a cock at the 
bottom. The liquor is received into a gutter or 
channel, which conveys it to the evaporating boiler, 
commonly called the grand copper ; and if origin- 
ally produced from good and untainted canes, will 
now appear almost^ if not perfectly, transparent. 

The advantage of clarifying the liquor in this 
manner^ instead of forcing an immediate ebullition, 
as practised formerly, is visible to the most inatten- 
tive observer. The labour which it saves in scum- 
ming is wonderful. Neither can scumming proper- 
ly cleanse the subject ; for when the liquor boils 
violently, the whole body of it circulates v/ith such 
rapidity as to carry down again the very impurities 
that had come up to the surface, and with a less 
violent heat would have staid there ^. 

In the grand or evaporating copper, which should 
be large enough to receive the net contents of one 



• Edwards' History of the West Indies, Vol. 2d, p. ^69. 



245 

of the clarifiers, the liquor is suffered to boil ; and 
as the scum rises, it is continually taken off by 
large ecummers, until the liquor grows finer and 
somewhat thicker. This labour is continued until, 
from the scumming and evaporation, the subject is 
sufficiently reduced in quantity to be contained in 
the next or second copper, into which it is then 
laded. The liquor is now nearly of the colour of 
Madeira wine. In the second copper the boiling 
and scumming are continued ; and if the subject is 
not so clean as is expected, lime-water is thrown in- 
to it. This addition is intended not merely to give 
more temper, but also to dilute the liquor, which 
sometimes thickens too fast to permit the feculen- 
cies to run together, and rise in the scum. Liquor 
is said to have a good appearance in the second cop- 
per, when the froth in boiling arises in large bubbles, 
and is but little discoloured. When from such 
scumming and evaporation, the liquor is again suf- 
ficiently reduced to be contained in the third cop- 
per, it is laded into it, and so on to the last copper, 
which is called the teaclie. This arrangement sup- 
poses four boilers or coppers, exclusive of the three 
clarifiers *. 

In the teache the subject is still further evaporated, 
till it is judged sufficiently boiled to be removed 
from the fire. This operation is usually called 

* Edwards* History of the West Indies, Vol. 2d, p. 270. 

Hh 2 



246 

striking, i, e, lading the liquor, now exceedingly 
thick, into the cooler *. 

The cooler, of which there are commonly six, is a 
shallow wooden vessel, about eleven inches deep, 
seven feet in length, and from five to six feet wide. 
A cooler of this size holds a hogshead of sugar. 
Here the sugar grains, i, e. as it cools, it runs into 
a coarse irregular mass of semi-formed crystals, se- 
parating itself from the molasses. From the cooler 
it is carried to the curing-house, whei;e the molasses 
drains from it. It may be proper in this place to 
observe, that in order to obtain a large grained su- 
gar, it must be suffered to cool slowly and gradual- 
ly. If the coolers are too shallow, the grain is in- 
jured in a surprising manner. Any person may be 
convinced of this, by pouring some of the hot syrup, 
when fit for striking, into a pewter plate. He will 
immediately find it will have a very small grain f . 

But before we follow it into the curing-house, it 
may be proper to notice the rule for judging, when 
the subject is sufficiently evaporated for striking^ or 
become fit for being laded from the teache to the 
cooler. Many persons guess solely by the eye 
(which by long habit they do with great accuracy) 
judging by the appearance of the grain on the back 
of the ladle ; but the practice most in use is to judge 



* Edwards' History of the West Indies, vol, 2d, p. 27 1 
t Ibid, p. 271. 



247 

by what is called the touch, i. e, taking up with 
the thumb a small portion of the hot liquor from 
the ladle ; and as the heat diminishes, drawing with 
the fore-finger the liquid into a thread. This thread 
will suddenly break, and shrink from the thumb to 
the suspended finger, in different lengths, according 
as the liquor is more or less boiled. The proper 
boiling height for strong muscovado sugar is gene- 
rally determined by a thread of a quarter of an inch 
long *. Another method is as follows : — *' Provide 
" a small thin pane of clear crown-glass, set in a 
*' frame, which I would call a tryer ; on this drop 
" two or three drops of the subject, one on the other, 
" and carry your tryer out of the boiling-house into 
" the open air. Observe your subject, and more 
" particularly whether it grains freely, and whether 
" a small edge of molasses separates at the bottom. 
" I am w^ell satisfied, that a little experience will 
" enable you to judge what appearance the whole 
** skip will put on, when cold, by this specimen, 
" which is also cold. This method is used by che- 
" mists, to try evaporated solutions of all other salts ; 
" it may seem, therefore, somewhat strange, it has 
" not been long adopted in the boiling-house f ." 



• Edwards' History of the West Indies, vol. 2d, p. 27l. 

t An essay on the art of making MuscovadaSugar, by John 
Proculus Baker, Esq. Barrister at Law, in the island of Jamaica, 
1Y75. 



248 

The curing-house is a large airy building, provid- 
ed with a capacious molasses cistern, the sides of 
which are sloped and lined with terras, or boards. 
Over this cistern there is a frame of massy joist- 
work without boarding. On the joists of this frame, 
empty hogsheads, without headings, are ranged. In 
the bottom of these hogsheads eight or ten holes 
are bored, through each of which the stalk of a 
plantain leaf is thrust, six or eight inches below the 
joists, and is long enough to stand upright above the 
top of the hogshead. Into these hogsheads the mass 
from the cooler is put, v/hich is called potting ; 
and the molasses drains through the spungy stalk, 
and drops into the cistern, from whence it is occa- 
sionally taken for distillation. The sugar in about 
three weeks grows tolerably dry and fair. It is then 
said to be cured, and the process is finished ^, 

KuM. — Having now furnished the reader with 
the best account I am able to give of the art of mak- 
ing sugar from the cane-juice, I shall proceed to 
give the subsequent process of extracting from it, 
the spirit called rum. 

The still-houses on the sugar plantations in the 
British West Indies, vary greatly in point of size 
and expence, according to the fancy of the proprie- 



Etlwarcls' History of the West Indies, vol. 2cl, p. 273, 



249 

tor, or the magnitude of the property *• Ix\ this 
country they may be built of bricks, which are 
cheap and easy to be had, and in general are equal 
in extent to both the boiling and curing-houses to- 
gether. Large stills have the advantage over small 
ones, as they may be purchased at first at a less pro- 
portionate expence. Two copper stills, one of them 
half as large again as the other, are required. The 
size of the tanks (or tubs) for containing the cold 
water in which the worms are immersed, must de- 
pend upon circumstances : if the advantage can be 
obtained of a running stream, the water may be kept 
abundantly cool in a vessel barely large enough to 
contain the worm. If the plantation has no other 
dependance than that of pond water, a stone tank is 
infinitely superior to a tub, as being, longer in heat- 
ing ; and if it can be made sufficiently large,, the 
worms of both the stills may be placed in the same 
body of water, and kept cool enough for condensing 
the spirit, by occasional supplies of water. 

For working these stills, it is necessary to provide^, 
first, a dunder-cistern ; secondly, a cistern for the 
scummings; lastly, twelve fermenting vats or cisterns, 
each of them of the contents of the largest still. In 
Jamaica, and in most parts of South America, cis- 
terns are made of plank, fixed in clay ; and are uni- 



* Edwards' History of the WeBt Indies^ vol 2d, p. 276* 



250 

versally preferred to vats, or moveable vessels, for the 
purpose of fermenting. They are not so easily 
affected by the changes of the weather, nor so liable 
to leak as vats, and they last much longer. To com- 
plete the apparatus, it is necessary to add two or 
more copper pumps for conveying the liquor from 
the cisterns, and pumping up the dunder, and also 
butts, or other vessels, for securing the spirit when 
obtained ; and it is usual to build a rum-store adjoin- 
ing the still-house. 

The ingredients, or materials, that set the various 
apparatus I have described into action, consist of, 

1st, Molasses, or treacle, drained from the sugar, 
as already described. 

2dly, Scummings of the hot cane juice, from the 
boiling-house, or sometimes raw-cane liquor, from 
canes expressed for the purpose. 

Sdly, Lees, or as it is called in Jamaica, dunder. 

4thly, Water. 

The use of dunder in the making of rum, answers 
the purpose of yeast in the fermentation of flour. 
It is the lees or feculences of former distillations ; 
and some few planters preserve it for use, from one 
crop to another ; but this is a bad practice. Some 
fermented liquor, therefore, composed of sweets and 
water alone, ought to be distilled in the first instance, 
that fresh dunder may be obtained. It is a dissol- 
vent menstruum, and certainly occasions the sweets 
with which it is combined, whether molasses or 



251 

scuramings, to yield a far greater proportion of spi- 
rit than can be obtained without its assistance. 
The water which is added, acts in some degree in 
the same manner by dilution. 

When these ingredients are well mixed in the 
fermenting cisterns, and are pretty coolj the fermen- 
tation will rise, in twenty-four hours, to a proper 
height for admitting the first charge of molasses, of 
which six gallons for every hundred gallons of the 
fermenting liquor, is the general proportion to be 
given at twice, viz. 3 per cent, at the first charge, 
and the other 3 per cent, a day or two afterwards, 
when the liquor is in a high state of fermentation i 
the heat of which, however, should not in general 
be suffered to exceed from ninety to ninety-four de* 
grees on Fahrenheit's thermometer* The infusion of 
hot water will raise, and qf cold water abate, the 
fermentation. 

When the fermentation falls by easy degrees from 
the fifth to the seventh or eighth day, so as then to 
grow fine, and throw up slowly a few clear beads or 
air globules, it is ripe for distillation ; and the li-* 
quor or wash being conveyed into the largest still, 
which must not be filled than within eight or ten 
inches of the brim, lest the head should fly, a steady 
and regular fire must be kept up until it boils, after 
which a little fuel will serve. In about two hours 
the vapour or spirit being condensed by the am- 
bient fluid, will force its way through the worm in 

li 



25:^ 

t^e shape of a stream, as clear and transparent 
as crystal ; and it is suffered to run until it is no 
longer inflammable ^. 

The spirit which is thus obtained goes by the ap- 
pellation of low wines. To make it rum of the Ja- 
maica proof, it undergoes a second distillation. The 
low wines obtained as above, are drawn off into a 
butt or vessel, and, as opportunity serves, are conveyed 
into the second still, to undergo a further distillation. 
The steam begins to run in about one hour and a half, 
and will give, what is called oil-proof rum, i, e. of 
spirit, in which olive oil will sink : and thus the ma- 
nufacture, if it may be so called, is complete^ There 
will remain in the still a considerable quantity of 
weaker spirit, which is returned to the low-wine 
butt* 

Thd |)roportiori of the whole ruin to the crop of 
sugar, is commonly estimated in Jamaica as three 
to four; but on a general estimate, I think it too 
great an allowance, and that two hundred gallons 
of rum to three hogsheads of sugar, which is in the 
proportion of about two-thirds rum to the crop of 
sugar, is nearer the truth* 

This will be the better understood by attending 
to the following particulars :-^The general supply 
of scummings to the still-house is seven gallons out 
of every 100 gallons of cane-liquor. Supposing, there- 

* Edwardis' History of the West Indies, Vol. 2dy f. 2&a 



253 

Fore, that 2000 gallons of cane-juice is required for 
each hogshead of sugar of 16 cwt., the scummings 
on a plantation making 200 hogsheads per annum, 
will be 28,000 gallons, equal to^--4666 gallons of 
melasses. Add the melasses from the curing-house, 
which, if the sugar is of a good quality, will seldom 
exceed sixty gallons per hogshead— t12, 000, making 
a total of 16,666 gallons of sweets. This, distilled 
at and after the rate of 12 per cent, sweets in the 
fermenting cistern, will give 34,720 gallons of low 
wines, which ought to produce 14,412 gallons of 
good proof rum, or 131 puncheons of 110 gallons 
each. When a greater proportion than this is made, 
one or other of these circumstances must exist, 
either the sugar discharges an unusual quantity of 
melasses, or the boiling-house is defrauded of the 
cane-liquor by improper scumming. This latter 
circumstance frequently happens. 

It might be easy to rectify the spirit, and bring 
it to much greater purity than it is generally found 
to be of; for it brings over in the distillation a very 
large quantity of unctions or oily matter ; and this is 
often so disagreeable, that the rum must be suffered 
to lie bye for a long time to mellow before it can 
be used ; whereas, if well rectified, it would grow 
mellow much sooner, and would have a much less, 
potent flavour. 

It is the practice of late, with many planters, to 
rai:e the proof of rum, thus giving in strength of 
I i 2 



254 

spirit what is lost in quantity ; and some managers 
make it a rule to return the scummlngs to the cla^ 
rifiers, instead of sending them to the still house. 
This last mentioned practice reduces the crop of 
rum more that one-third ; but is supposed to yield 
in sugar more than is lost in rum ; and if the price 
of sugar is very high, and that of rum very low, 
it may be prudent tq adopt this method *. 

Mr Ellis, who has resided many years on the 
Mosquito Shore, has a plantation with about forty 
negroes and a large gang of free Indians, situated 
near Pearl Key Lagoon, where he makes excellent 
sugar, and he has lately commenced the distillation 
of rum, which has been admitted by all who have 
tasted it, to be equal to the very best Jamaica. 

A sugar plantation consists of three great parts ; 
the Lands, the Buildings, and the Stock ; but before 
J proceed to discriminate their relative proportions 
^nd value, it may be proper to observe, that the 
business of sugar planting is a sort of adventure in 
which the man that engages must engage deeply f. 
It requires a considerable capital to embark in 
this employment with a fair prospect of advantage. 
Having premised thus much, I shall employ my 
present enquiries in ascertaining the fair price at 



f Edwards* History of the West Indies, Vol. gd, p.^d 
t Ibid, Vol. 2d^ p. m. 



25;$ 

which a sugar plantation may be created, and the 
profits which may honestly and reasonably be ex- 
pected from a given capital so employed ; founding 
my estimate on a plantation producing, one year 
with another, one hundred hogsheads of sugar of 16 
cwt. and sixty-five puncheons of rum of one hua- 
dred and ten gallons each. 

Lands. — A plantation yielding, on an average, 
one hundred hogsheads of sugar annually, requires, 
as I conceive, not less than one hundred and fifty 
acres to be planted in canes ; the whole extent of 
such a property must be reckoned at six hundred 
and forty acres, although perhaps from four hundred 
to four hundred and fifty might be found sufficient. 
The price of lands in the territory of Poyais is, 
at the moment I am now writing, fixed by a decree 
dated 3d April 1821, at one shilling per acre, to- 
gether with a feu-duty of one cent, of a dollar 
per acre, payable after five years from the date of 
purchase ; but it is probable, that before six months, 
their price will have risen to at least five shillings 
an acre ; therefore, for our calculation, we will take 
them at the present price, which for six hundred and 
forty acres (a square mile) will be L.S2 sterling. 

The cost of clearing one hundred and fifty acres, 
and planting them in canes, including four clean- 
ings, would amount to K75, at ten shillings per 
acre. Clearing and planting 50 acres in provisions 



I 



236 

would be L.12 10s. at five shillings per acre ; the 
same for clearing and planting 50 acres in Guinea 
grass. Inclosing and fencing the whole, would cost, 
on a moderate estimate, L.68 more., — Total L.200. 
In this estimate, it is to be observed, that I suppose 
125 labourers to be employed annually on the es- 
tate ; and deducting L.32, the price of the lands, 
that the remaining sum of L.168 is paid for extra 
labourage, which supposes thirty additional labour- 
ers to be employed the first three months. 

Buildings. — The buildings which are necessary 
on such a plantation are, 

Sterling. 

1st, A water-mill, (if water can be 
obtained) the cost of which may be 
stated at £80. In case no water-mill 
can be erected, a wind- mill, or cattle-mill 
must be built ; the former will cost about 
£100, and the latter not more than £50. 
I will take the highest estimate, which 
is the wind-mill, or say two cattle-mills 100 

2d, A boiling house, 42 by 22 feet, 
to contain copper clarifiers, and pans or 
boilers, including the cost of the same, 
and other utensils, - - 1 50 

3d, A curing-house, adjoining to the 
boiling-house, calculated to hold one half 
the crop, with strong joists of solid tim- 



257 

Skrling. 

ber instead of a floor, having a terrassed 
or boarded platform underneath, leading 
to a melasses cistern, lined with terras^ 
sufficient to contain 300 gallons, 100 

4th, A distilling-house, 70 feet by SO ; 
the distillery part to contain 2 stills of 
600 and 300 gallons, with worms pro-^ 
portionate, also a stone tank or cistern, 
to hold 15,000 gallons of water; the 
fermenting part to contain two, or more 
vats, or cisterns, for the dunder and skim- 
mings ; also 12 cisterns of solid plank 
fixed in the earth, of 600 gallons each^ 
with copper pumps and other necessary 
apparatus ; together also with a rum store 
under the same roof, - - 650 

5th, A dwelling-house built of brick 
and shingled, - - - 100 

6th, A trash-house, 120 feet by 30 ; 
the foundation-stone, the sides open, the 
roof supported by pillars, and covered 
with shingles, - - - 100 

7th, A store-house, - ^ 50 

8th, A stable for mules and horses, 
with a corn loft above, - - 50 

9th, Sheds for the waggons, wains, 
carts, &c. - . - 50 

Add extra expences, such as the cost 



258 

of the wains, carts, utensils, household 
furniture, &c* - ^ * 150 

The total is in Sterling . £1500 

StocK.-^The stock on a plantation of the niagni- 
tude described, ought to consist of about forty steers 
and thirty mules or horses ; if there is a water-mill 
erected, only a small proportion of the above num- 
ber will be required.— The cost of stock may be 
stated as follows : 

40 Steers, at £2 16 per head, 112 
30 Mules or horses at £2 16 per 
head, - -■- - ^ 84! 00 



£]96 



Let us now bring the whole into one point of 
view. 

Lands, . . . ^ 200 

Buildings, - ^ - 1500 O 

Stock, - - - , -^ 196 



Total in Sterling money £1896 

The produce of such a plantation has been stated 
at J 00 hogsheads of sugar of 16 cwt. and 65 pun- 
cheons of rum, of 110 gallons, which may be worth 
on the spot, for internal consumption, as follows ; 



259 

100 Hogsheads of sugar at £17 
per hogshead, - - - £1700 

65 Puncheons of rum, at £l2 
per puncheon, - - - 780 



Gross Returns - £2480 
From this sum, however, the annual disburse- 
ments are to be deducted, viz. 

Labour and Sundry Charges. 

Wages of 125 Labourers, at £13 per 
annum, for each, - - £1625 

Annual supply of mules and steers, . 50 

Millwrights, coppersmiths, plum- 
bers, and smiths bills annually^ - 50 

A variety of smail supplies and 
sundries, supposed, - ^ 100 



£1825 



This sum deducted from the gross returns, leaves 
an annual profit of £655 per annum, from a capital 
of £lS96, which is nearly 35 per cent. 

But the most profitable plan for a planter in this 
country, would be to sell his sugar and rum to his 
neighbours and the retail dealers, and to keep a store 
in the town, with a clerk for their disposal : in this 
way he would readily get 3s 6d per gallon for his 
rum, and £1 3s 4id per cwt. for his sugar; this is 

K k 



260 

even below the present prices : his profits would 
then be as follows, viz. 

100 Hogsheads of sugar of 16 cwt. 
at£l 3s 4d^^rcwt. - - £1866 13 4 

65 Puncheons of rum of 110 
gallons each, at 3s 6d pei' gallon, 1251 5 



3117 18 4 

Deduct annual expences, 1825 



£J292 18 4 
By this mode, the planter would obtain, after de- 
ducting the sum of £92 18? 4d for the hire of a 
store and the wages of a clerk, a clear income of 
£1200 sterling per annum, free of all taxes w^hat- 
soever. 



Cotton, is the soft and beautiful down which 
forms the covering or envelope of the seeds of the 
gossypium or cotton plant. It is the spontaneous 
production of three parts of the earth, and is found 
growing naturally in all the tropical regions of Asia, 
Africa, and America ; and may justly be comprehen- 
ded among the most valuable gifts of a bountiful 
Creator, superintending and providing, for the neces- 
sities of man. 

The cotton wool, which is manufactured into- 
cloth (for there is a species in the West Indies and 
the Americas^ called silk or wild cocton, unfit for 



261 

the loom) consists of two distinct kinds, known to 
the planters by the names of Green-Seed Cotton, 
and Shrub Cotton ; and these again have subordi- 
nate marks of difference, with which the cultivator 
ought to be well acquainted, if he means to apply 
his labours to the greatest advantage. 

The most profitable sorts for general cultivation, 
are reckoned to be the Sea Island, a species of the 
Green-seed, the French or Small Seed, and Kidney 
Cotton, or Chain Cotton, which latter is supposed 
to be the true Cotton of the Brazils. I shall now 
give a short account of each. 

Sea Island, is the produce of the coast of 
Georgia, and the small islands contiguous and be- 
longing to it. It has a long and fine staple, but 
more or less silky, stained or dirty, on which ac- 
count no other cotton varies so much in price. 
The best is preferred now to every other kind, and 
is often sold at very high prices to the manufactu- 
rers of lace. The produce of an acre is about 600 
pounds in the seed. It is alsq cultivated on the 
pine lands, which produce three, four, or five crops 
without manure *. 

Green-Seed, is of two species,' both of which I 
shall describe. 1st species : The wool of this is so 

* Warden's Account of the United StateS;^Vol. 2d, p. 4-82. 

Kk2 



26^ 

firmly attached to the seed, that no method has hi- 
therto been found of separating them, except by 
the hand ; an operation so tedious and troublesome, 
that the value of the commodity is not proportion- 
ate to the pains that are requisite in preparing it 
for market. This sort therefore is at present culti- 
vated principally for supplying wick for the lamps 
that are used in sugar-boiling, and for domestic 
purposes ; but the staple being exceedingly good, 
and its colour perfectly white, it would doubtless 
be a valuable acquisition to the muslin manufactory, 
could means be found of detaching it easily from 
the seed. 

2(1 Species »-^This sort has larger seeds, of a dul- 
ler green than the former, and the wool is not of 
equal fineness, though rnuch finer than the cotton wool 
in general cultivation; and it is easily separated 
from the seed by the common method, hereafter to 
be described. It has been said, that this species of 
the green-seed cotton is not sufficiently known to 
the planters in general, (being usually confounded 
with the former) or that probably it would be in 
high estimation. 

Both the species ^bove-mentioned, though they 
produce pods at an early stage, when they are mere 
shrubs, will, if suffered to spread, grow into trees of 
considerable magnitude, and yield annual crops, ac- 
cording to the season, without any kind of cultiva- 
tion. The blossoms put forth in succession from 



26S 

October to January, and the pods begin to ppen 
fit for gathering from February to June "*. 

French, or Small Seed.-— This is the cotton in 
general cultivation in Hispaniola. It has a whitish 
beard, and its staple is finer, and its produce equal 
to other species of the Shrub-cotton, as for example, 
the Common Ja7naica, Brown-Bearded, Nankeen, 
&c. It is supposed to bear a greater number of 
pods than the Jamaica, or the ffroxcn-Bearded, 
but it is less hardy than either f. 

Kidney CoxtoN, is so called, from the seeds 
being conglomerated or adhering firmly to each 
other in the pod. In all the other sorts they are 
separated. The staple is good, the pods large, and 
the produce considerable, A single laboiirer rnay 
clear with ease sixty-five pounds in a day, besides 
which, it leaves the seeds behind unbroken, and 
comes perfectly clean from the rollers. It is there- 
fore improvident, in the highest degree, to mix this 
species with any other J. 

The mode of culture is the same with all the 
different species, and there is this advantage attend- 
ing them all, that they will flourish in the driest 
and most rocky soils, provided such lands have not 



• Edwards' History of the West Indies, Vol. 2d, p. 311 
+ Ibid. 312. t Ibid. 313. 



264 

heen exhausted by former cultivation. Dryness, 
both in respect of the soil and atmosphere, is in- 
deed essentially necessary in all its stages; for if the 
land is moist, the plant expends itself in branches 
and leaves, and if the rains are heavy, either when 
the plant is in blossom, or when the pods are begin- 
ning to unfold, the crop is lost. Perhaps, however, 
these observations apply more immediately to the 
French cotton than to any other ♦. 

The plant is raised from the seed, the land re- 
quiring no other preparation, than to be cleared of 
its native incumbrances ; and the season for putting 
the seed into the ground is from May to Septem- 
ber, both months inclusive. This is usually done 
in ranks or rows, leaving a space between each, of 
six or eight feet, the holes in each row being 
commonly four feet apart. It is the practice to 
put eight or ten of the seeds into each hole, because 
some of them are commonly devoured by a grub or 
worm, and others rot in the ground. The young 
sprouts make their appearance in about a fortnight, 
but they are of slow growth for the first six weeks, 
at which period it is necessary to clean the ground 
and draw the supernumerary plants, leaving two or 
three only of the strongest in each hole. One plant 
alone would be sufficient to leave, if there was any 



* Edwards* History of the West Indies^ Vol. 2d^ p. Sl5. 



265 

certainty of its coming to maturity ; but many 
of the tender sprouts are devoured by the grub^ 
At the age of three or four months, the plants are 
cleaned a second time ; and both the stem and bran- 
ches pruned, or, as it is called, topp'd ; an inch (or 
more, if the plants are luxuriant) being broke off 
from the end of each shoot ; v/hich is done in order 
to make the stems throw out a greater number of 
lateral branches. This operation, if the growth be 
over luxuriant, is sometimes performed a second, and 
even a third time. At the end of five months, the 
plant begins to blossom and put forth its beautiful- 
yellow flowersy and in two months more the pod is 
formed. From the seventh to the tenth month the 
pods ripen in succession ; when they burst open in 
three partitions, displaying their white and glossy 
down to the sight. The wool is now gathered, the 
seed being enveloped in it ; from which it is after- 
wards extricated by a machine resembling a turner's^ 
lathe. It is called a gin, and is composed of two 
small rollers placed close and parallel to each other 
in a frame, and turned in opposite directions by dif- 
ferent wheels, which are m.oved by the foot ^. The 
cotton being put by the hand to these rollers as they 
move round, readily passes between them, leaving 
the seeds which are too large for the interspace be- 



* It is a very slight and simple instrum3i:^t^ and costs onlj 
from two to three guineas, 



hind, l^he wool is afterwards hand picked, that it 
may be properly cleared of decayed leaves^ broken 
seeds, and wool that has been stained and damaged 
in the pod. It is then packed into bags of about 
two hundred pounds weight, and sent to market *. 

Cotton which is indigenous of this country, might 
be cultivated with great success ;• the general aver- 
age produce from an acre, may be estimated at 200 
lbs. weighty which when cleaned, will fetch about 
£3 a hundred on the spot. " A prime slave, it is 
allowed, will attend to 3 acres, which will yield at 
the lowest calculation, an annual net profit of 240 
dollars* The keeping of the slave is not included in 
this estimate ; but as that cannot exceed the odd 
forty dollars, it will leave a clear profit of 200 dol- 
lars, on the labour of each slave f ." 

To new settlers, and to persons of moderate pro- 
perty, cotton presents a nlore easy source of revenue, 
e*ven in places where the soil and climate will admit 
the culture of sugar J. The quantity of cotton pro- 
duced on various soils differ greatly ; many instances 
have occurred of two thousand pounds of cotton, 
with the seed, being raised in one season from a sin- 
gle acre of land ; and a produce not much inferior 

• Edwards' History of the West Indies, vol. 2d, p. 3 1 4. 
t C. Schultz's Travels in America, Am. Edit. 1310, vol. 2d, 
p. i8G. 

J Darby's Emigrants Guide^ New York; 1818, p. 10. 



m 

has been realized from an extensive farm. But 
though cotton succeeds best on the deep alluvion of 
rivers, it is extremely profitable on the prarie land, 
distant from any considerable streams of water *. 

I shall now proceed to make a few observations 
on the culture and produce of cotton. 

There is no known vegetable capable of being 
brought to perfection on so great a variety of soils f . 
The time of planting cotton varies with the particu-^. 
lar climate. It is planted either in drills or squares ; 
the former is generally considered the most produc- 
tive mode p 

In all cases a much greater quantity of seed is 
planted than is supposed to produce stalks. The 
number of stalks permitted to remain depends upon 
the strength of the soil ; but from the branching 
nature of the plant, the stalks are, on every kind of 
land, left at a considerable distance from each other §. 
The manner of planting, ploughing, hoeing, and 
weeding cotton, differs but little from the same ne- 
cessary routine of labour in cultivating maize. The 
former, from its humble height, suffers more from 
weeds than the latter. Cotton is also in its first 
stages much more slow of growth thaii maize ||. 



* Darby*s Emigrants Guide. New York, 18 IS. p. 10. 
t Ibid. p. 178. + Ibid. § Ibid. li Ibid. 

L 1 



The time that elapses from the planting to the 
commencement of gathering cotton, does not vary 
very much from four months, or about one hundred 
and twenty days. It has been observed by an ex- 
perienced traveller, that cotton will grow upon every 
variety of land, upon which any useful vegetable can 
be cultivated ^4 

Gathering the cotton is entirely done by the 
handy and demands great care in the operation, a 
circumstance which^ in the natural history of cot- 
ton, contributes to render its collection, free of 
dead leaves, difficult and tedious f . 

The quantity of cotton that can be made upon, 
and collected from an acre, differs greatly. Below 
S3» North Latitude, one thousand weight is consi- 
dered about a medium. The relative weight of seed 
and down is about three-fourths of the latter, to one- 
fourth of the former ; therefore, 250 lbs. of clean 
cotton would be the medium produce of an acre. 

A labourer will cultivate with ease, more than 
twice as much cotton as he can collect. There is 
no manual labour done by man, where the quantum 
that is performed by different men, of equal strength, 
differs so greatly as in picking cotton. The ordinary 
amount allowed for a day's work, is between fifty 



* Darby's Emigrants Guide. New York, 1818, p. 178. 
t ifeid. 



269 

and sixty pounds : two hundred has been collected 
by one person in a day. Darby says he has seen chil- 
dren collect more cotton into baskets than they 
were able to carry to the place of deposit. It may 
indeed be justly considered as one of the excellen- 
cies of the culture of cotton, that in its collection 
no manual labour is lost. Neither age nor child- 
hood, if in health, is prevented from giving its aid 
in this innocent and useful pursuit. Children from 
eight years old can be employed to advantage. 

The bale varies in weight : 320 lbs. is a medium. 
That farm produces well, where three and a half 
bales of this size are made to each hand ; four such 
bales is an excellent crop *. 

It must be understood, however, that the same 
labourers raise maize, plantains, cassada, sweet po^ 
tatoes, yams, and other vegetables for nourishment. 
From the ability of cultivating more cotton than 
can be collected by the same labourers, leisure is al- 
so given to cultivate vegetables for food. 

I shall now bring into one point of view the se- 
veral particulars attending the first cost and settle- 
ment of a plantation in this sort of husbandry, and 
the return which may reasonably be expected from 
a small capital thus employed. I fix on a small 
capital ', because I conceive that a cotton planta- 



* Darby's Emigration Guide, p. I7S. 

L12 



270 

lion may be established on a more moderate fund 
than any other *, 

It is presumed that land proper for the growth of 
cotton, situated near the sea, may be purchased, in 
the territory of Poyais, at the present selling price 
of one shilling per acre ; and as it is prudent in 
flapst cases, to change the soil after the third crop, 
by replanting fresh land, I will allot one hundred 
and sixty acres (a quarter section) for the first pur- 
chase, in order that the planter may have room for 
that purpose. Supposing, therefore, that twenty- 
five acres only is planted in cotton at the same 
time, the capital will be invested as follows : 

Cost of one hundred and sixty acres of 
land, at one shilling ^^r acre - £8 

Expence of clearing, fencing, and 
planting %5 acres, at ten shillings per 
acre - - - - - 12 10 



£20 10 

Provisions, implements, and sundry 

small articles, say - - - 9 10 



Total, £30 

The returns are now to be considered. In Poyais, 

it is calculated that one acre of cotton will yield 

from 200 to 350 pounds annually, and 250 lbs. 

t Edward** History of the West Indies, vol. 2d, p. ^J17. 



271 

may be considered the medium average, and is 
safely estimated at 8d. sterling per pound. The 
returns, therefore, according to this data, upon such 
a plantation as we have described, will be as fol- 
lows, viz. 

6250 lbs. of cotton, at 8d. sterling per 
pound . - - - , dSSOS 6 8 

Deduct incidental expences, as mate- 
rials for bagging, &c. £13 6 8 

Deduct wages of 8 labour- 
ers, at M13 each, per an- 
num - - - 104 

-.^ 117 6 8 



Remains in sterling money, d^gi 
To which may be added, the sale of 
surplus provisions, as yams, plantains, 
maize, cotton seed-oil, S^-c. say - 9 



£100 
Cotton is packed in the West Indies, in bags, 
from 300 to 320 lbs. weight each, and the tare al- 
lowed there is 3 per cent *. 

In the United States, one-fourth of the amount is 
allowed for the expence of cleaning cotton from the 
seed, the purchase of duck and cordage, and transpor- 



* Mortimer's Commercial Dictionary, 2d edit. 1819, art. 
Cotton. 



272 

tation to market. " From individual experience, the 
" author of this treatise is fully convinced, that this 
** is an ample allowance if taken generally *." For 
the territory of Poyais, the allowance I have made for 
bagging, ^-c. will be found amply sufficient. 

The quantity of oil that cotton-seed will give, 
has never been determined with sufficient accuracy. 
The proportion of clean cotton wool to that of the 
crude mass, including the seed, has been found very 
nearly to be as one to four. Persons holding cot- 
ton-gins are obliged to deliver one lb. of clean cot- 
ton for every four lbs. of the mass in seed, for which 
the receipts are given. One hundred pounds of 
seed, is allowed to produce one gallon of oil f . 

From the data given above, it appears that an 
active industrious emigrant, arriving in this country 
with about £150 sterling, would in twelve months 
create a cotton plantation, that would yield him 
£100 ^er annum, with the certain prospect of every 
year being able to extend it, and so in proportion 
augment his capital and income. It should also be 
observed, that there are merchants, who will ad- 
vance an industrious settler, such goods as he may 
require, on a twelvemonth^s credit, taking his cot^ 
ton in payment at a fair price ; and as the Indians 
prefer being paid in goods to money, the emigrant 
who arrives with only L.30 in his pocket, may raise 

* parby's Emigrant Guide, p. 181. t Jbid. 



273 

a similar estate, if he can get credit with the mer- 
chant to the amount of L.llT, 6s. 8di : but sup- 
pose he only gets it for half the sum, this will ena- 
ble him to employ four labourers, and cultivate 
twelve or thirteen acres in cotton, which will yield, 
after making a fair allowance of L.10, for the dif- 
ference between goods bought with ready money, 
and those obtained on a long credit, an annual in- 
come of L.40 sterling, on a capital of thirty pounds. 
In Nile's Weekly Register, published at Balti- 
more, for July 1819, is the following curious calcu- 
lation: — " Ten slaves, five of them capable of 
" working in the fields, the other five, women and 
" children, will produce of cotton annually, about 

lbs. 6,50a 
" At this rate 100,000 would produce 83,000,000 
" Which at 13 cents. ^^Hb. amount to D. 11,050,000" 
In the same work for July 1820, is the following 
calculation : — " We now proceed to state the situa- 
" tion of an extensive cotton manufactory, in the 
" neighbourhood of Boston, which is in actual ope- 
" ration. 

" It contains Men - 14 
" Women and Children 286 

300 
" And produces, with the power of looms and other 
" machinery, at the rate per annum of 1,250,000 
** square yards of cloth. 



274 

Dollars 

" Which at 25 cents p^r yard is - 312,500 

" Deduct 450,000 lbs. of cotton, at 16 cents 72,00a 



** Annual saving of the nation by the^ 

** labour of 14 men and 236 women L d.246,500 

" and children, ) 

N.B. In the above statement the expences of 
the establishment is not given, but we might cal- 
culate it at 40,500 dollars, which would leave a pro- 
fit upon the capital (whatever that may be) of 
200,000 dollars. 

Let us now calculate the result of the labour of 
100,000 men, women and children, in the same 
proportions, and at the same kind of employment. 
As 300 : 240,500 : : 100,000 : 80,166,666 dollars. 

That is to say, the clear profit of the labour of 
100,000 persons, eniployed in the cotton manufac- 
tory, would amount to above eighty millions of 
dollars annually, after paying for the raw material *. 



Indigo.— The plant which yields the valuable 
commodity, called Indigo (probably so named from 
India, where it was first known to be manufactur- 
ed), grows spontaneously in this country. In the 
British Sugar Islands, they reckon three distinct 
species; the Wild f, Gautemala J, and French §. 

* Nile's Weekly Register, July, 1820. 
t Indigofera Argenta, Linn. 
J Indigofera Disperma, Linn. 
§ Indigofera Tiftctoria, Linn. 



275 

The Wild indigo has short crooked pods and black 
seeds ; the Guatemala is distinguished by the red- 
ness of the stalk, and the colour of the seed^^^ which 
are green : the French is a short bushy plant, with 
roundish leaves, long crooked pods, and its seeds 
are yellow. The first is said to be the hardiest, and 
the dye extracted from it is supposed to be of the 
best quality, both in colour and closeness of grain> 
but one of the other two species is commonly prefer- 
red by the planter, asyieldinga greater return; and of 
these, the French surpasses the Guatemala in quan- 
tity, but yields to it in fineness of grain, and beau^ 
ty of colour ^. 

" That the richest soil produces the most lux- 
" uriant plant, and that good seasons accelerate its 
" growth, cannot I think be doubted ; but, observ- 
" ing its long tap-root, and spontaneous growth, 
" in almost every dry and barren savannah, I am 
" convinced it will thrive on soils that are fit for 
" nothing else. The longest dry weather will not 
" totally kill it, though much water will have that 
" effect, if suffered to remain long on the plant f . " 

The cultivation and manufacture are conducted 
in the following manner. 

The land being properly cleared of weeds, &c. 
is hoed into small trenches of two or three inches in 



* Edwards' History of the West Indies, vol. 2d, p. 325. 
t Ibid. 

M m 



276 

depth, and twelve or fourteen inches asunder ; in 
the bottom of which the seeds are strewed by the 
hand, and covered Hghtly with the earth taken out : 
a bushel of seed is sufficient for four or five acres 
of land. During the progress of vegetation, the 
ground must be carefully weeded, in order to pre- 
vent any mixture of herbs, which would injure the 
indigo in its manufacture. In moist weather, the 
plaht comes up in three or four days ; and in about 
two or three months after, it is fit for cutting : if 
suffered to stand till it runs into flower, the leaves 
become too dry and hard, and the indigo obtained 
from them proves less in quantity, and less beauti- 
ful ; the due point of maturity is known, by the 
leaves beginning to grow less supple, or more brittle. 
In rainy reasons, the cutting may be repeated every 
six weeks : cutting in dry weather kills the plant, 
which if that is avoided, continues to afford fresh 
crops for two years. The ratoons or subsequent 
growths from the plants, ripen in six or eight weeks ; 
but the produce diminishes fast after the second cut- 
ting, so that it is absolutely necessary to sow the 
seeds anew every year. 

The produce per acre of the first cutting, will be 
abotit eighty pounds weight of what the French 
call pigeon's neck ; or about sixty pounds of a 
quality equal to the Guatemala. The produce in 
North America is sometimes neatly as much ; but 
when Fahrenheit's thermometer falls to 60^, the re- 



277 

turns there are very uncertain, both in quality and 
quantity ; a greater heat being absolutely necessary 
both for vegetation and maceration. The yielding 
for the subsequent cuttings somewhat diminishes ; 
but in Jamaica and St Domingo, if the land is new, 
about 300 lbs. per acre of the second quality may be 
expected annually, from all the cuttings together, and 
four negroes are sufficient to carry on the cultiva- 
tion of five acres, besides doing other occasional 
work, sufficient to reimburse the expence of their 
maintenance and clothing '^. 

The process for obtaining the dye is generally 
conducted in two cisterns, which are placed like 
two steps, the one ascending to the other. The high-^ 
est (which is also the largest) is called the steeper; 
and its dimensions are about sixteen feet square, 
and two feet and a half in depth. There is an aper- 
ture near the bottom, for discharging the fluid into 
the second, which is called the battery or heater, 
and is commonly about twelve feet square, and four 
and a half in depth. Cisterns of these dimensions 
are proper for about seven acres of the plant ; hut 
if stone work cannot easily be erected for want of 
materials, vats made of brick, and plastered with a 
composition of cement in the inside, may be substi- 
tuted, or if constructed of strong timber, well se-^ 



Edwards' History of the West Indies, vol., gd, p> SZX^ 

II m 2 



278 

cured from leakage, they will answer as well. Therei 
is also required a lime-vat, six by eight feet square, 
and four feet deep ; and it may be proper to ob- 
serve, that the tap or plug-hole ought to be placed 
at least eight inches from the bottom, to leave suf- 
ficient room for the lime to subside, before the 
lime-water is drawn off into the battery. 

The plants are cut with reap-hooks or sickles, a 
few inches above the root, and leaving a few bran- 
ches on the stem. This will draw up the sap beU 
ter, and produce a more luxuriant ratoon, than 
where a naked stalk is left. During the first cut- 
ting, it is usual to leave some of the most flourish- 
ing stalks for seed, which ought not to be gathered 
until it is well hardened in the pod. It generally 
requires ten bushels of the pod to produce a single 
bushel of clean dry seed, fit for sowing. 

A large quantity of the plant is placed by strata 
in the steeper, until it is about three parts full. 
They are then strongly pressed down with boards, 
which are wedged or loaded, to prevent the plants 
from buoying up ; and as much water is admitted 
as the weed will imbibe, until it is covered four 
or five inches deep, and in this state is left to fer- 
ment, until the pulp is extracted. The matter be- 
gins to ferment, sooner or later, according to the 
warmth of the weather, and the maturity of the 
plant, sometimes in six or eight hours, and some- 
times not in less than twenty. The liquor grows 



279 

hot, throws up a plentiful froth, thickens by de- 
grees, and acquires a blue colour, inclining to violet. 
In proportion as the caloric increases, azote is dis- 
engaged, and the herbaceous mucilage separated, 
the vegetable is decomposed, and the mixture ab- 
sorbs oxygen. The fermenting fluid passes from a 
green to a violet tinge, and this by degrees changes 
to a blue colour. The great art of the manufacture 
is to check the fermentation at a proper degree. If 
the fermentation is too feeble or too brief, the plant 
remains impregnated with much essential salt, 
which diminishes the quantity of indigo. If it hii 
too long, the tender extremities of the plant under- 
go a putrefaction, which destroys the colour. Some 
years ago, the follov>ing criterion was published at 
St Domingo, for ascertaining invariably the correct 
fermentation of the indigo. It is only requisite to 
write on white paper with the matter to be examin- 
ed. If this ink be of very high colour, it is a proof 
that the fermentation is not yet at its true point. 
The experiment is repeated every quarter of an 
hour, till it is perceived that the liquid has lost its 
colour. This was pronounced an infallible index: 
to shew the true point of fermentation. When 
these signs are perceived, they indicate the success 
of the operation. At this -time, without touching 
the herb, the liquor impregnated with its tincture 
is let out, by cocks in the bottom, into the other 
vat, called the battery. 



280 

In the second vat, the liquor is strongly and in- 
cessantly beat and agitated, with a kind of buckets 
fixed to poles, till the colouring matter is united in- 
to a body ; a more convenient machine has been 
constructed, in whigh the levers are worked by a 
cog wheel, and kept in motion by a horse or mule, 
A good deal of nicety is requisite in hitting this 
point ; if the beating is ceased too soon, a part of 
the tinging matter remains dissolved in the liquor ; 
if continued a little too long, a part of that which 
had separated is dissolved afresh. The exact time 
for discontinuing the process is determined by tak- 
ing up some of the liquor occasionally in a little 
cup, ^nd observing whether the blue jfecwte is dis- 
posed to separate and subside, 

The facility with which the grain precipitates to 
the bottom of the beater, is an unequivocal sign 
that the beating has arrived at the correct point. 

The liquor being properly and sufficiently work- 
ed, and the pulp granulated, it is left undisturbed 
until the flakes oxfoculc^ settle at the bottom, when 
the incumbent water is drawn off, and the indigo 
distributed into small linen bags to drain, after 
which it is carefully put into little square boxes or 
moulds, and suffered to dry gradually in the shade, 
and this finishes the manufacture. 

However well drained and dried the indigo may 
be, it always experiences, in the first month of its 
fabrication, a diminution sufficiently evident to 



281 

warrant a hastening of the sale. It is customary to 
pack the indigo into barrels^ and thus to circulate 
it in commerce. Indigo is also packed in sacks of 
coarse linen, and the sack is then covered with an ox's 
hide, having the seams so hermetically sewed and 
tarred that nothing can penetrate it. These packets 
are called ceroons, and they are much preferable to 
barrelsj as they are more solid, and more convenient 
for transportation. Two ceroons make the load of 
a mule. In this way the indigo is packed for mar- 
ket in the kingdom of Guatemala, and in all parts 
of Spanish America. 

Indigo is commonly divided, from the colour 
which it exhibits upon breaking, into three kinds, 
copper-coloured, purple, and blue. Good indigo is 
moderately light, breaks of a shining surface^ and 
burns almost wholly away upon a red hot iron. It 
is quickly penetrated by water, and reduced into a 
kind of paste ; a considerable part is at the same 
time diffused through the liquor, and very slowly 
subsides.^ 

Berthollet speaks of the indigo from Guatemala as 
the best of any ; as it is so light as to swim on the 
surface of the water, instead of sinking to the bot- 
tom, as all the other kinds do. The different qua- 
lities of Spanish American indigo are expressed by 
the three terms. Flora, Sobres, and Cortes, whereof 
the first is the best, and the last the worst. 

" To what has been said above of the nature of 



28t 

" the plant, suiting itself to every soil, and prodac- 
•* ing four cuttings in the year, if we add the cheap- 
" ness of the buildings, apparatus, and labour, and 
" the great value of the commodity, there will seem 
" but little cause for wonder at the splendid ac- 
" counts which are transmitted down to us concem- 
" ing the great opulence of the first indigo planters. 
" Allowing the produce of an acre to be 300 lbs. 
" and to produce no more than 4s. sterling per 
" pound, the gross profits of twenty acres will be 
" ^^1200, produced by the labour of only sixteen 
" negroes, and on a capital in land and buildings, 
" scarce deserving consideration *." 

One of the greatest drawbacks formerly in the 
manufacture of indigo, was the pernicious effects of 
the vapour arising from the fermented liquor ; which 
is now entirely removed by an improved method of 
extracting the indigo hy means of a boiling pro- 
cess ; " By the scalding process (observes Dr Rox- 
" burgh) I have always on a small scale made from 
" the common indigo plant, better indigo than I 
** could by fermentation, and in one fourth of the 
" time ; and what is also of great importance, with- 
" out the smallest degree of the pernicious effluvia 
"which attend the manufacture of indigo by fer- 
" mentation, and moreover, the twigs and leaves 
" themselves of the indigo plant burn fiercely, after 

* Edwards* History of the West Indies, Vol. 2f1, p. 330. 



§83 

" having been well dried, and will carry on th^ 
** operation without requiring any great addition of* 
*' other fuel." 

In another place^ Dr Roxbury observer, " that 
" the Hindoos throughout the northern provinces pt 
" circars, liiake all their indigo by means of hot 
^* water, and precipitate with a cold infusion of the 
" bark of tliQ Jamholong tree ; yet notwithstanding 
" the inferiority of this bark as an astringent, when 
** its effects are compared with those of lime water^ 
** I have always found their indigo to be ai a very 
" excellent quality, and very light ; a cubic inch 
** weighing only about 110 grains, and being of a 
" blue violet colour. The superior quality of this 
" indigo must alone be imputed to the nature of this 
** process, by which the colour, or rather base of the 
" colour, is extracted from the plant ; for their ap- 
** paratus is very inconvenient." 

" Besides the superior quality of the indigo obtain^ 
** ed by the scalding process, the quantity is gene- 
" rally increased by it, moreover the health of the 
" labourer in this way is not endangered ; as in the 
" fermenting process, by constant and copious ex- 
" halations of putrid miasma : the heat employed 
" expels most of the fixed air during the scalding^ 
*^ which renders a small degree of agitation, and 
" very little of the precipitant necessary. The 
" operation can also be performed two or three times 
" a-day upon a large scale; and lastly, the ialigo 

N n 



2U 

^' itself dries quickly without acquiring any bad 
" smell, or putrid unwholesome tendency *." — 
Surely these observations deserve the most serious 
attention of the planters in the British West In- 
dies f I 

I shall conclude my account of this valuable plant, 
with an estimate of the expence of an Indigo plant- 
ation, and the probable revenue arising from it, and 
with observing that it is one of the articles of pro- 
duce, which is most deserving of the emigrants at- 
tention, from the small capital required in establish- 
ing a plantation, the simplicity and cheapness of the 
manufacture by the scalding process, and the high 
price, together with the great and constant demand 
of the article ; the quantity of indigo annually im- 
ported into Great Britain from all parts of the world, 
being, I believe, one million and a half of pounds, of 
which five parts in seven are purchased of foreign- 
ers. 

Estimate of the Expence of an Indigo 
Plantation. Cost of 160 acres of land (a 
quarter Section,) at one shilHng per acre, £S G 

Expence of clearing, fencing and 
planting 20 acres, at ten shillings per 
acre, » - . - . 10 



* Bencroft's Philosophy of Permanent Colours. 

t Edwards' History of the West Indies, VoL 2d, p. SS' 



285 

Building a dvveiling-bouse, cisterns, 
tanks, &c. . . ^ 3^ 



1650 
Pro&iice. 
20 acres at SOO lbs each is 6000 
lbs. which at 4s sterling per pound, 
will give, . - - - £1200 Q 

Deduct the wages of 16 labourers at 
£13 each per annum, - - 208 



£992 

Leaving a clear profit nine hundred and ninety 
two pounds upon a capital of £258. But it is to 
be observed, that as the settler, at the end of the 
first six months, will have sold a portion of his crop, 
he would only require a capital of about one hund^ 
red and fifty pounds y to realize an income of al- 
most one thousand pounds siti\ix\^ per annum I 

Coffee. — Its true name, according to Bruce, is 
caffe, from CafFa, the south province of Narea in 
Africa, where it grows spontaneously in great a- 
bundancc. It is a fruit approaching to an 
oval or semi-oval form ; smaller than a horse- 
bean, and is of a tough, close, and very hard tex- 
ture. When deprived of its parchment covering, 
it is found to be prominent on one side, and flatted 
on the other, with a large deep furrow ^which runs 
N n 2 



286 

along the flattened side. It is moderately heavy ^ 
hard to break before it is roasted, and is of a pale 
greyish colour. 

A rich deep soil, frequently ineliorated by show-, 
ers, will produce a luxuriant tree, and a great crop ; 
but the beans which are large, and of a dingy 
green, prove for many years, rank and vapid. It 
is singular, however, that the North Americans 
prefer this sort to any other *. Coffee indeed will 
thrive in every soil in the West Indies; a cold stiff 
clay, and a shallow mould on a hot marie, except- 
ed. In both which the leaves turn yellow, and 
the trees perish, or produce nothing ; but the best 
and highest flavoured fruit is unquestionably the 
growth of either a warm gravelly mould, or sandy 
loani. frequent showers of rain, are friendly to 
its growth, but if water remains long about the 
foots, the tree will decay and perish. 

If the land be fresh and naturally good, coffee 
plants may be set out at all seasons of the year, 
even in dry weather, and they will thrive in any 
situation, provided it be screened from the north 
winds, which often destroy the blossom ; and some- 
times, in the after part of the year when those 
winds prevail most, entirely strip the tree of both 
fruit and leaves. 

• Edwards' History of the Weit Indies, vol, 2d, p. 339. 



287 

The usual mode of planting is to sow the seeds, 
or to set out the young plants, eight feet distant, 
froni each other on all sides, which gives si^ hun- 
dred and eighty trees to an acre ; and when young 
plants are cosily procured they are preferred to ber- 
ries. The plants which are intended to be set out 
are generally selected of about three feet ii| height. 
They arc cut off about two inches above the surface 
of the ground, and care is taken to dig them up 
with the roots as entire as possible. The holes 
in which they are set, are made large enough to 
hold the lower part of the stem and all the roots ; and 
the upper fibres are buried about two inches un- 
der the surface. But although eight feet be the 
usual distance of setting out the plants in all soils, 
it is frequently found in rich lands, that the trees, 
as they grow to maturity, become from their luxu- 
riance, so closely intermingled together, as to im-? 
pede the free passage of the air ; in such case it is 
thought advise able to cut down every second row 
within ten or twelve inches of the ground, and by 
well moulding the stumps, they will furnish a suc- 
cession of healthy young trees, while the rows 
which are left will bear much better for the room 
which is given them. 

In the cultivation of a young walk, the general 
and most approved system is to keep the trees per- 
fectly clear of suckers, and to rear one stem only 
from each root. If, therefore, a healthy shoot 



28S 

springs up near the ground, all the original plant k 
cut off close above it, by which means, when the 
plant is moulded, the root becomes well covered. 
At the height of five or six feet, which the plants 
generally attain the third year, the trees are topped. 
At this height, a single stem gives from thirty to 
forty- two bearing branches, and the pruning re- 
quired annually, is to leave nothing but those 
branches *. 

From what has been said concerning the effect of 
a difference of seasons, it must be difficult to fix on 
the average produce of a coffee plantation by the 
acre. In rich and spongy soils, a single tree has 
been known to yield from six to eight pounds of 
coffee : I mean when pulped and dried. In a dif- 
ferent situation, a pound and a quarter from each 
tree, on an average, is great yielding ; but then the 
coffee is infinitely better in point of flavour. The 
following is, I believe, on a medium, as accurate a 
calculation as the subject v/ill admit. Coffee trees 
raised from old trees, in lands neither very poor or 
very rich, bear the second year from the new growth 
300 pounds weight j^er acre; 500 pounds the third 
year ; and from (JOO to 700 pounds the fourth. If 
the trees are raised from young plants, nq produce 
is to be expected until the third year from the 
planting, when they will yield very little; the 
fourth year about 700 pounds. The average annual 

* Edwards' History of the West Indie?, vol. 2d, p. 34E 



269 

produce per acre, after that period, if the walk ia 
properly attended to, may be reckoned at 730 
pounds ; and one person is well able to take care 
of an acre and a half. 

As soon ^s the berries acquire the colour of a 
black-red on the trees, they are supposed to be suf- 
ficiently ripe for picking. The labourers employed 
in this business are provided each with a canvass 
bag, with a hoop in the mouth to keep it open. It 
is hung about the neck of the picker, who empties 
it occasionally into a basket, and if he be indus- 
trious, he may pick three bushels in the day. But 
it is desireable he should take time, otherwise a 
great deal of unripe fruit will, in that case, be mix- 
ed with the ripe. The usual practice is to pick the 
trees at three different stages of ripeness. One hun- 
dred bushels in the pulp, fresh from the tree, will 
give about one thousand pounds weight of mer- 
chantable coffee. 

There are two methods in use of curing or drying 
the bean : the one ig, to spread the fresh coffee in 
the sun, in layers about five inches deep, on a slop- 
ing terras, or platform of boards, uith the pulp on 
the herry, which in a few days ferments^ and dis- 
charges itself into a strong acidulous moisture, and 
in this state the coffee is left, until it is perfectly 
dry, which, if the weather is favourable, it will be 
in about three weeks. The husks are afterwards 
separated from the seeds by a grinding- mill, hereaf- 



290 

ter to be described^ or frequentlj by pounding therri 
with pestles in troughs or large wooden mortars. 
Coffee thus cured, weighs four per cent, heavier, 
than if cured with the pulp ♦. 

The other method is to remove the pulp imnle- 
diately as it comes from the tree. This is done by 
means of a pulping-mill, consisting of a horil^ontal 
fluted roller about eighteen inches long, and eight 
inches in diameter. This roller is turned by a crank 
or handle, and acts against a moveable breast-board, 
which being fitted close to the groves of the roller, 
prevents the berries from passing whole* The mill 
is fed by a sloping trough, and the aperture of the 
trough, from which the berries drop into the mill, is 
regulated by a vertical sliding board. By this sim- 
ple machine a man will pulp a bushel in a minute. 
The pulp and the bean (in its parchment skin) iall 
promiscuously together. The whole is then washed 
in wire sieves, to separate the pulp from the seeds, 
and these are immediately spread open to the sun to 
dry. There yet remains the operation of grinding 
off the parchment skin, or membrane which imme- 
diately envelopes the bean, and is left after the 
pulp is removed. It is done by a machine which 
will also separate, at the same time, the dried pulp 
(if the former mode of curing has been adopted) 
much more expeditiously than the pestle and mor- 
tar. 

• Edwards' History of the West Indies, vol 2d, p. SiS. 



291 

The grinding mill consists of a perpendicular axis, 
surrounded at some distance by a circular trough, 
into which the coffee is thrown, and about a foot a-* 
bove the level of the surface of the trough, there are 
commonly four horizontal arms or sweeps, tenanted 
into the axis, and stretching some feet beyond the 
trough, and on these are four rollers, fitted to run in 
the trough, on the arms being turned round with 
the axis, which is done by mules, or horses yoked to 
the extremity. The rollers, which are generally of 
considerable weight, moving round in the trough, 
bruise the skins of the coffee, so as to render them 
separable by the fans, though there is always a pro- 
portion left untouched. When it appears sufficient- 
ly bruised, it is taken out of the trough and put to 
the fan, which cleans the coffee from the chaff, and 
the seeds remaining unground are separated by sieves, 
and returned to the mill, which will clear 1,,500 
pounds of coffee in a day. 

I shall conclude by offering an estimate of the 
expences and returns of a coffee plantation. 

EXPENCES. 

First cost of 640 acres of land, of 
which 150 acres is planted in coffee, and 
the same quantity in provisions, &c. £32 

k Clearing, fencing and planting 150 a- 
:s at 10s. per acre - - - 75 
Carry over £107 

O o 



292 

Brought over £107 

Twenty mules or horses at £3 per 

head 60 

Buildings and mills, utensils and tools 200 
Expence of 50 labourers at &1S each, 
and 50 women and children at £6 10s 
each for three years - , - 2850 



£3217 
Returns the fourth year at £4 4 

per cwt. of 112 lbs. 
From 150 acres of young coffee may be 
expected the fourth year 45,000 lbs. £1687 10 

Deduct annual charges 
for the fourth year - £950 
Sacks and saddles - 40 

— 990 



Clear profit - - £697 10 
Returns the fifth and subsequent 

years; viz, 
150 acres, yielding 750 lbs. per acre, 
—112,500 lbs. at £4 4 per cwt. 4219 

Deduct annual charges as 
before - - - £950 
Sacks and saddles - 80 

Repairs of mills, &c, - 60 0- 

1090 



Oear profit - - £3129 



293 

From which it appears that, by the fifth year, a 
clear income of £3129 may be expected from a 
capital of £3217. But as few emigrants can be 
expected to command, or be able to afford to lay so 
long out of so considerable a capital, I would recom- 
mend to such as are desirous of establishing a coffee 
plantation, to commence by degrees, and with some 
other article of culture at ihe same time, as indigo, or 
cotton, for instance, and employing the profits arising 
from the cultivation of one or other of these articles^ 
in the gradual establishment of a coffee walk. 



Cacao. — The cacao or chocolate nut is the pro- 
duction of a tree, common in the West Indies and 
the tropical regions of the Amxerican continent. It 
is indigenous of this country, where it growls to the 
height of from fifteen to tw^enty feet. The choco- 
late-tree begins almost from the ground to separate 
itself into four or five stems, according to the vi- 
gour of the root from whence they all proceed: 
they are commonly between four and seven inches 
in diameter ; but they first grow in an oblique di- 
rection, so that the branches are expanded and se- 
parated from one another. 

The length of the leaf is between four and six 
inches, and its breadth from three to four : it is 
very smooth, soft, and terminating in a point, like 
that of the China-orange-tree, but differing from it 
in colour : the former being of a dull green, and 
O ^ 



294 

having no gloss, which is observable on the latter ; 
nor is the tree so full of leaves as that of the orange. 
" The cacao tree," says Mr Edwards, " both in 
** size and shape, somewhat resembles a young blacks 
" heart cherry. The flower is of a saffron colour, 
" extremely beautiful, and the pods which in a 
" green state are much like a cucumber, proceed im- 
" mediately from all parts of the body and larger 
" branches. As they ripen, they change their co- 
" lour, and turn to a fine bluish-red, almost purple, 
" with pink coloured veins. This is the common 
** sort ; but there is a larger species, which produ- 
** ces pods of a delicate yellow or lemon colour. * " 
The pods that contain the cacao, grow from the 
stem, as well as from the branches. The colour of 
the pod, while growing, is green, like that of the 
leaf: but when arrived at its full perfection, it 
gradually changes to a darkish red. When the 
fruit is arrived at its full growth, and cut in slices, 
its pulp appears white and juicy, with the seeds, or 
nuts, regularly arranged, and at that time of little great- 
er consistence than that of the pulp, but whiter, and 
enclosed by a very delicate membrane ; these are of 
an oblong figure, resembling a large olive in size and 
shape, but rather thinner in proportion to its length, 
and in some degree approaching to the almond or 
pistachia-nut : it is larger however than either of 

* Edwards' History of the West Indies, vol. 2d, p. $63. 



295 

these. Each pod may contain from twenty -five to 
thirty of these nuts or kernels, which are imme- 
diately enveloped in a parchment shell. 

The chocolate-nut, when dried, is found composed 
of a thin, but hard and woody coat or skin, of a 
dark blacking colour, and of a kernel within this, 
filling up its whole cavity, fleshy, dry, firm, and 
flattish to the touch, of a dusky brown colour, with 
a mixture approaching to red on the surface, and of 
a greyish brown within. It is composed of several 
irregular and unequal parts, v/hich, however, cohere 
firmly enough together, and it is of a very fragrant 
and agreeable smell, and of a pleasant and peculiar 
taste, with something of the acerb in it. The nuts 
'quickly lose their power of vegetation, if taken out 
of the capsule, but kept in it, they preserve that 
power for a long time. The tree bears leaves, 
flowers, and fruit, all the year through ; but the 
usual seasons for gathering the fruit are June and 
December. 

This is almost the only tree in nature to which 
the enlivening beams of the sun are obnoxious. It 
requires to be sheltered from their ardour ; and the 
mode of combining this protection with the prin- 
ciples of fertility forms a very essential part of the 
talents which its cultivation demands. The cacao- 
tree is mingled with other trees, which guard it 
from the rays of the sun, without depriving it of 
the benefit of their heat. The eryihrina or bean- 



296 

tree, and the banana^ are employed for this purpose. 
The latter, by the rapidity of its growth, and the 
magnitude of its leaves, protect it for the first year. 
The erythrina endures at least as long as the cacao ; 
it is not every soil, however, that agrees with it. It 
perishes after a while in sandy and clayey soils, but 
it flourishes in such as combine those two species ^. 
In Spanish America, where the cacao forms a 
considerable article of commerce, its cultivation is 
conducted in the following manner. Having chosen 
a spot of level land (a deep black mould is preferred) 
sheltered round with a thick wood, so as to be well 
screened from the wind, especially the north, and 
caused it to be cleared from all manner of stumps and 
weeds, the planter digs a number of holes at eighteen r 
or twenty feet distance, each hole being about a foot 
in length and width, and six or eight inches deep. 
In the mean time, having selected the largest and 
fairest pods of the cacao when full ripe, he takes out 
the grains and puts them into a vessel of water. 
Such of them as swim are rejected ; the others, being 
washed clean from the pulp and skinned, arc suffer- 
ed to remain in the water till they begin to sprout, 
at which time they are fit for planting. The plant- 
er then takes the banana, or some other large leaves, 
and places one leaf within the circumference of 
each hole, so as to line it round ; leaving however 

* Depms' Travels in South America^ vol. Ist^ p. 393. 



S97 

the sides of the leaf some inches above the ground, 
after which he rubs in the mould, very lightly, till 
the hole is filled. He then selects three nuts for 
each hole, and plants them triangularly, by making 
a small opening for each with his linger, about two 
inches deep, into which he puts the nuts, with that 
end downwards from which the sprout issues ; and 
having lightly covered them with mould, he folds 
over the leaf, and places a small stone on the top to pre- 
vent its opening. In this manner he plants his whole 
walk, or orchard. At the end of eight or ten days, 
the plants will generally be found to rise above the 
earth. The leaves are then opened, that their 
growth may not be impeded ; but, in order to shel- 
ter them from the sun, other leaves or branches are 
placed round the hole ; for which purpose those of 
the palm kind are generally chosen ; and they are 
changed as often as tliey decay, for the space of 
five or six months. 

If all the three nuts placed in each hole spring up, 
it is thought necessary, when the plants are about 
eighteen inches high, to cut at least one of theni 
down. The other two, if they spread different ways, 
are sometimes suffered to remain ; but it seldom 
happens that all the nuts, or even more than one of 
them, will take root, which is the reason of plant* 
ing three in a hole *. 

* Edwnrcls' History ef the West Indies, Vol. 2(1, p. t6l. 



29S 

When the bananas grow old, they should be care* 
fully felled, lest the cacao-trees should be injured 
by their accidental fall. They are to be totally re- 
moved as soon as the erythrinas yield sufficient 
shade ; this operation gives more air to the trees of 
the plantation, and encourages their growth *. 

Until the cacao plant attains four feet in height, 
it is trimmed to the stem. If it shoots forth seve- 
ral branches, they are reduced to three at equal 
distances ; and in proportion as the plant increases, 
the leaves which appear on the three branches are 
stripped off. If they bend much, and incline to- 
wards the earth, they are tied in branches, so that 
the tree may not remain crooked. The branches 
which are trimmed are cut at the distance of two 
fingers from the tree. The suckers which spring 
from the tree are also removed, as they only live 
at its expence f . 

In two years from the seed, the tree is above 
three feet high, and spreads its branches, not more 
than five of which are suffered to remain. Before its 
third year is complete, it shews for fruit. The 
fifth year the tree begins to bear, and the eighth 
attains its full perfection : it then produces in ge- 
neral two crops of fruit in the year, yielding at 
each, from ten to twenty pounds weight, according 



* Depons' Travels in South Americs, vol. Ut, p. 59^. 
t Ibid. vol. Ut, p. S96. 



299 

to the soil and seasons ; and it will sometimes con- 
tinue bearing for twenty years ; but the same deli- 
cacy of stamina which marks its infancy, is visible 
in all the stages of its growth. It is obnoxious to 
blights, and shrinks from the first appearance of 
drought*. 

It is necessary that a cacao plantation should 
have always shade and irrigation ; the branches of 
the plant should be cleared of the scurf that forms 
on them ; the worms should be destroyed ; no large 
herbs or shrubs should be permitted to grow ; since 
the least disadvantage resulting therefrom would be 
the loss of all the fruit that should fall into these 
thickets. But it is most essential to deepen the 
trenches which carry off the water, in proportion 
as the plant increases in size, and as the roots of 
course pierce deeper : for if the trenches are left 
at a depth of three feet, while the roots are six 
feet in the earth, it follows that the lower part of 
the cacao plant is in a situation of too great humi- 
dity, and rots at the level of the water. This pre- 
caution contributes not only to make the planta- 
tion more durable, but also to render the crop more 
productive. It is necessary also to abstain from 
cutting any branch from cacao plants already in a 
state of produce. S uch an operation might occa- 
sion the subsequent crop to be stronger ; but the 



Edwards' History of the West Indies, vol, 2d, p S6l, 

pp 



300 

plants become enervated and often perish, accord- 
ing to the quality of the earth, and the number 
of branches cut off*. 

The cacao gives two principal crops in a year, 
one about St John's day, the other towards the end 
of December. The cacao also ripens and is gather- 
ed during the whole year. But in all seasons, the 
people of Terra Firma make it a point, as far as 
possible, to collect their crops only at the decline 
of the moon ; because, say they, experience proves 
that this precaution renders the cacao more solid, 
and less liable to spoil f i 

After gathering the ripe fruit, it is opened, and 
the kernels struck out with a small piece of wood, 
which must not be sharp, lest it injure the grain ; 
they are then laid on skins kept for that purpose, 
and left in the air to dry. 

The good and bad cacao must not be mingled 
together. There are four sorts of cacaos in every 
crop ; the ripe and in good condition ; the green 
but sound; the worm-eaten and the rotten ; the 
first quality is the best, the second is not bad ; 
but the two others should be rejected J. 

The cacao must always be exposed to the sun, 
on the fourth day after it has been gathered, and 
this exposure should be daily repeated until it is 

* Depons' Travels in South America, vol. 1st, p. 400. 
t Ibid. p. 402. 

t Ibid. 



sol 

perfectly dry. When this is the case, the grains 
burst on being squeezed, their shell resounds when 
struck, and they no longer become heated on being 
placed in heaps. If the cacao is not sufficiently 
exposed to the sun it becomes mouldy ; if too 
much, it withers and easily pulverises ; in either 
case it soon rots ^. 

Depons who paid particular attention to the mode 
in which this valuable tree is cultivated in the pro- 
vince of Caracas, says, " less expence is also required 
" for an establishment of this kind, than for any q- 
*' ther of equal revenue. One slave, as I have al- 
" ready said, is sufficient for the preservation and 
" harvest of a thousand plants, each of which should 
" yield at least one pound of cacao, in ground of 
" moderate quality, and a pound and a half in the 
** best soil. By an averaged calculation, of twenty 
*' ounces to each plant, the thousand plants must 
** produce 12 hundred and fifty pounds, which, at 
*' the customary price of twenty dollars per hundred, 
** produces two hundred and fifty dollars per annum 
" for each slave or labourer. The expences of the 
** plantation, including those of utensils, machines, 
" and buildings, are also less considerable for cacao 
" than for any other produce. The delay of the 
" first crop, and the accidents peculiar to cacao, can 
" alone diminish the number of planters attached to 



* Depons' Travels in South America; vol. 1st, p. i03. 

Pp2 



302 

** its culture, and induce a preference to other com i 
" modities * " 

I shall now proceed to make a calculation of the 
expence and probable profit of a cacao plantation. 

First cost of 320 acres (a half sec- 
tion) at Is per acre, of which 80 acres 
are planted in cacao— -250 trees on an 
acre, - - - - - £16 

Clearing, planting, and fencing 80 
acres, at 10s per acre, - - 40 

Dwelling-house, drying sheds, &c. 30 
Expence of 20 labourers at £13 per 
annum each, for 4 years, 1040 



Total £1126 

Returns the fifth year. 

From 80 acres of young cacao trees, 
may be expected the fifth year 10,000 
lbs. which at £3 10s. per cwt. gives 350 

Deduct annual charges for the fifth 
year, ----- 260 



Clear profit the fifth year, £90 "^ 

Returns the sixth and seventh years, viz, 
80 acres, yielding 250 lbs. per acre, 
20,000 lbs. . - - - 700 

* Depons' Travels in South America, vol Ist^ p. 405. 



303 
Deduct annual charges, - 260 



Clear profit sixth and seventh yeari, d^440 

Returns the eighth and subsequent years, viz, 
80 acres yielding 312] lbs. per acre 
-25,000 lbs. ... 875 

Deduct charges same as former years, 260 



Clear profit the eighth year, &c. £615 
From the above data it appears that a plantation 
of cacao, the original cost of which would be about 
£1126, would yield the fifth year from its establish- 
ment a clear profit of £90 ', the sixth and seventh 
year, £440 ; and the eighth and subsequent years 
£615. The observations I have made upon the 
most economical plan of establishing a coffee plan- 
tation, are equally applicable to cacao. Indian corn 
might also be planted the first year, in the intervals 
between the plants. Coflfee is frequently, in South 
America, planted among the trees of a cacao grove. 
A cacao plantation when once established, is prefer- 
able to any other, on account of the great returns, 
and the small annual expence of labourers. 



Tobacco, — called in Botany Nicotiana, received 
its name in honour of John Nicot, of Nismes, Am- 
bassador from the French court to that of Portugal, 
who during his residence at Lisbon in 1560, receiv- 



ed some of the seed from a Dutchman, who had 
it from Florida, and part of this he sent to France. 
There the plant soon became famous, as well as in 
Europe, by the name of Tabac, or Tobacco, from 
Tabaco, given it by Hernandez de Toledo, who 
first sent it to Spain and Portugal. It was not 
known in Europe till after the discovery of America 
by the Spaniards ; and is supposed by some, to have 
been first imported into Great Britain in the year 
3560 by Sir Francis Drake. 

Tobacco requires a moderately strong, yet rich, 
compact, and deep soil, and one that is not too much 
exposed to moisture ; indeed, a fresh, unimpaired 
spot of land, is best adapted to the culture of a plant, 
which is greedy of succulence. The tobacco seed 
is sown in beds ; and so soon as the plants appear 
about two inches above the ground, and put forth at 
least six leaves, they are gently drawn, during damp 
weather, and carefully transplanted into a patch of 
land previously prepared for the purpose, being pla- 
ced at the distance of three feet asunder. If this 
operation bs carefully performed, the leaves will not 
undergo any alteration for the worse, but will re- 
cover their vigour in less than twenty-four hours. 
It is advisable to cover the plant with a banana 
leaf, to protect it from the heat of the sun, and the 
heavy rains. Four days afterwards it should be re- 
moved, in order to replace such plants as may not 
have taken root. The best time for planting is 
iither the morning or evening. 



305 

The weeds which spring up around it must be 
carefully removed as they appear, its tops cut when 
it has grown to the height of two feet and a half. 
In order to prevent its attaining too great a height, 
suckers are to be carefully lopped off, and all tlie 
lower leaves, as well as those which appear like- 
ly to suffer by rottenness, or the attacks of insects, 
carefully removed, so as to let not more than eight 
or ten leaves at most remain upon the stem. One 
industrious labourer is capable of thus cultivating 
2500 stalks, which ought to render a thousand 
pounds weight of tobacco. 

The plant soon springs up and forms 5n the summit 
a bud, towards which the sap would direct itself, if a 
remedy was not applied. The means employed with 
success is to cut off the bud. The plant is then a- 
bout one foot and a half in heights This operation 
is repeated when it has attained three feet. There 
are some persons who repeat it, even three times. 
In consequence of these operations, the tobacco be- 
comes bushy, and acquires by degrees a colour be- 
tween green and blue, a sign of the approach of its 
maturity. It is known to be ripe by a small bluish 
spot which forms itself at the point where the leaf 
joins to the stem ; this commonly takes place in 
December. "* 

* Depons' Travels in South Amerlcn, vol. 1st, p. 4S0. 



306 

The tobacco plant is allowed to remain about fbitf 
months in the ground. " In proportion as it approach- 
** es to maturity, the bright vivid green of the leaves 
" assumes a darkish hue, the leaves themselves ap- 
" pear to droop and emit an odour, the strengtlj of 
" which is daily augmented. When these symp- 
" toms are evident, and particularly when the odour 
" is perceived at some distance from the plant, the 
" tobacco is ripe, and may be cut down *. " 
All the leaves do not ripen at the same time ; 
because the sap is not equally distributed through- 
out the plant. Those leaves only are gathered of 
which the colour indicates their maturity. The 
others have not yet the essential juice, and would 
only yield tobacco without flavour* The gather- 
ing is continued and repeated as the leaves ri- 
pen f . The plants, when cut down, are placed 
in heaps on the land which produce them, and 
are left, for one night only, to sweat, or dis- 
charge their moisture, in the open air. On the 
following day they are deposited in sheds, so con- 
structed as to admit the air on every side, and here 
they remain, hung at a distance from each other, 
till they become perfectly dry if. 



* Mortimer's Commercial Dictionary, 2cl. Edit. art. Tobacco. 

t Depons' Travels in South America, vol. 1st, p. 4S0. 

% Mortimcr*s Commercial Dictionary, 2d Edit, art Tobacco. 



307 

Depons however says, that *' it is highly import- 
" ant to the quality of the tobacco, that it should 
" not be gathered except when the sun is in full 
" force above the horizon ; for the dews, or any o- 
** ther humidity, would by fermentation injure its 
" constituent principles, and would render ineffec- 
** tive the benefits which it had already received 
" from nature, and those which it might expect 
" from a methodical preparation *." The same au- 
thor further observes, that it is the practice in Terra- 
Firma, to arrange the plants on mats, as they are 
collected, covering them at the same time, so as they 
should be protected from the sun, and in this man- 
ner transported to the manufactory. 

Twenty-four hours after the tobacco has been 
brought to the drying sheds, it is hung up on bars^ 
in leaves of two and two, if in winter, and four and 
four if in summer. T'his is done to make the to- 
bacco lose, by the action of the air, its tension and 
green colour, and to acquire instead a yellowness 
and softness which render it more flexible. If thd 
weather is rainy it will require to be hung up for 
three days, and sometimes four ; but if the weather 
is dry, two days are sufficient f . 

When the tobacco has obtained the colour and 
softness above-mentioned, it is taken down, without 

* Depons* Travels in South America, vol. 1st, p. 4S0, 
t Ibid. p. 481. 

Qq 



308 

being piled up, lest it should ferment; the stalks 
are then taken out, from the point, until within 
four inches of the part where the leaf was united to 
the stem. This must be done cautiously with the 
fingers, in order to prevent, the leaf from being da- 
maged. They are then laid on one side, and the 
damaged tobacco and stalks on the other ; care 
however must be taken not to place them in heaps, 
as there is still danger of their heating or ferment- 
ing. 

At the same time, persons are employed to make 
cords or twists of the leaves, which they divide 
into balls of seventy five pounds, which after the 
process of preparation, will be diminished to twen- 
ty-five pounds. These operations require great ce- 
lerity, because the leaves may dry, and consequent- 
ly it would be more difficult to take out the stalk, 
and to twist them. 

The interior of the cord is made, like segars, of 
broken or damaged leaves, which are covered with 
a good leaf. As soon as the ball is of the proper 
size, it is made anew, so that the outward end be- 
comes the centre of the new ball. This is done to 
prevent it from untwisting. 

The balls of tobacco are then placed on beds or 
layers, a foot thick, formed of the branches and 
stalks, and covered with the damaged tobacco. A 
covering of tobacco is likewise placed over the balls, 
and kept down by weights, or skins. All this re- 



309 

quires to be done in the shade and under sheds ; it 
being absolutely necessary, to guard both against the 
sun and rain. 

The tobacco is suffered to ferment for forty-eight 
hours, if it was too dry, when the large stalk was 
taken out, but only twenty hours if it was at its 
proper point. It is afterwards rolled anew, so that 
what was the exterior, now becomes the interior ; 
and at the same time it should be highly moistened 
to prevent fermentation. The balls are then re- 
turned to their former place to ferment, and in this 
state they are left for twenty-four hours, 

When the balls of tobacco have sufficiently fer- 
mented, they are ei;posed to the air, until they be- 
come cold ; and for three or four days, they should 
be wound over every morning and evening. By 
this last process, more or less frequently repeated, 
the visible defects of the tobacco may be corrected. 
If its colour is blackish, its juice viscid, and its smell 
agreeable, it is considered to be entirely free from 
defect. 

Lastly, the balls are unrolled, and the tobacco 
made up in bundles, which are suspended in tliQ 
shade, that the tobacco may lose its superfluous hu? 
midity, and acquire that colour which influences its 
value in commerce. In damp weather a fire may 
be lighted underneath, or such materials placed, as 
will yield a thick smoke. 

The exact period, that the tobacco should remain 
Qq 2 



310 

in this state, it is not easy to determine, but it niay 
be known, by opening the cord and squeezing it. If 
the juice run freely, the tobacco is not sufficiently 
dry. The usual time it takes is from forty to fifty 
days ^. 

The above is the usual process, as practised by the 
tobacco planters on the Spanish Main, and the foU 
lowing is the mode customary in Virginia. 

The planter begins to clear the ground by gird- 
ling or cutting the bark of the large trees near the 
ground, and grubbing up the small ones ; the ground 
IS rendered soft and light by repeated working. 
The plants having previously been raised in a nur- 
sery, after the first rains, and when the ground is soft, 
are drawn, when about the height of four or five inch- 
es, and carried to the fields, v/here they are planted in 
beds, or little mounds, at the distance of three feet 
from each other ; and, if a plant die, another is put 
in its place. This operation is performed by mak- 
ing a hole with the finger, and pressing the earth 
close round the top root. The plants are drop- 
ped into each hole by children. The earth is 
raised round the stalk by the hoe and shovel, 
three different times, in the shape of little hil- 
locks ; and the last operation is performed when 
the leaves are developed, and the plant has acquired 
a considerable growth. In about a month they are 

f Dcporib' Travels in South Amcric.^; vol lit; p. 183, 



311 

a fbot high, when the top is pinched otF, ierei with 
the ground or bottom leaves, leaving from eight to 
twelve. The young sprouts are broken off, lest 
they should draw the nourishnxent from the leaves, 
and the weeds are carefully kept down. The to- 
bacco or horse worm is picked off and destroyed, 
otherwise this ravenous insect would devour whole 
fields in a very few days. The ground worm, which 
cuts the plant beneath the surface of the earth, must 
also be looked for and destroyed. The former is 
the flivourite food of the turkies ; flocks of which 
are driven into the grounds, and are more useful 
than a number of hands. In six weeks more, the 
plant has attained its fulj grov/th, being from five 
to seven feet high, and the ground is covered with 
the leaves. The change of colour of the leaves, from 
green to brown, after a clammy moisture qr 
perspiration, indicates their maturity. 

As the plants ripen unequally, they are cut as 
they become ripe. Every plant is hung up sepa- 
rately. After cutting, it is split three or four inches, 
and cut off below the undermost leaf. This split is 
placed across a small stick, an inch in diameter, and 
four feet and a half long, and so close, that the plants 
touch, without pressing each other. The drying is 
hastened, by making slow fireg on the floor belo\\% 
After this the plants are taken down, and laid in 
rows or heaps, v/here they sweat a week or a fort- 
night j and in damp weather, are sorted and packed 



313 

up in hogsheads. For this last operation, more 
skill and experience are required than for any other* 
If not performed in moist or wet weather, they 
crumble to dust. The ground leaves and faulty 
tobacco are thrown away, as they are pulled from 
the stock. The hands or bundles are pressed down 
in the hogsheads with a large beam, one end of 
which is inserted with a mortice into a tree, and 
on the other a great weight is suspended. The 
finest flavoured tobacco is produced on a new and 
kindly rich soil, with an undulating surface. The' 
second crop is inferior to the first, as the third is 
to the second % 

-* In 1621, every person on board of nine ships, 
^^ which then arrived under the protection of Go- 
*^ vernor Wyatt, was obliged to raise a thousand 
" plants of tobacco, the produce of which was near- 
" ly a hundred pounds, and the price varied from 
** eighteen-pence to three shillings currency. A 
*^ hogshead of tobacco, weighing } 350 pounds, is 
'* considered a good crop, and sufficient employment 
" for one labourer ; or four plants to the pound, 
** though very rich land will yield double this quan- 
" tity f ." In Louisiana it is calculated that 50 
workmen ought to raise 60,000 pounds, which at 
ten dollars per cwt. would give 5357 dollars, or 10*7 



• Warden's Account ofthe L^nited State?, vol, 2f1; p. ^OS. 
t Ibid. 



313 

to each hand^^ In Maryland 6000 plants ar^ 
found to produce about 1000 Ibsi of tobacco f . 

The following is a calculation of the ex pence and 
probable profits of a Tobacco plantation; 

EXPENCES* 

First cost of 160 acres of land at Is. per 
acre, of which ten acres are planted in 
tobacco j ^ - - - - £8 d 
House, Sheds, &c. - - » 17 
Clearing, planting, and fencing 10 acres, 
at 10s. per acre, ^ - ^ 5 



£30 



RETURNS. 

10 acres of tobacco, at 1000 IbS; 
each, is 10,000 lbs. which at 4d per 
lb, will give - ^ . 166 13 4 

Deduct the expence of 10 labourers, 
one half women and children, at Ml 
each j^^r month, for 4 months, - 40 



Clear Profit, - £126 ]3 4 



It is calculated that 12 labourers 
will raise 15,000 lbs. of tobacco, which 
at 4d per lb. is - - - £250 

Deduct wages of 12 labourers, one 

X Warden's Account of the United States, vol. 2d, p. 543* 
§ Ibid. p. 159. 



314 

half women and tbildren, at an average 

of £1 each per months for 4 months, 48 6 



Clear Profit - - £202 
In this country the Indians raise tobacco of a 
very mild and excellent quality ; and there is no 
doubt, if attention were paid in selecting the seeds 
iand soil, that a quality equal to the Havanna 
tnight be raised. 



iliCE,-— is a plant very much resembling wheat, 
both in shape and colour, and in the figure and 
disposition of its leaves. The panicle which ter- 
minates the stem is composed of small flowers, dis- 
tinct from each other, which have four unequal 
scales, six stamina, and one pestil, surrounded with 
two styles ; this pestil becomes a white seedj ex- 
tremely farinacious^ covered with two interior 
scales. 

It grows to the height of two feet and a half, 
with a stalk not unlike that of wheat, but fuller of 
joints, and with leaves resembling that of the leek. 
It branches out into several stems, at the top of 
which the grain grows in clusters, and each of them 
is terminated with an ear or beard, and enclosed in 
a yellow rough husk. When stripped of this, they 
appear of an oval shape, of a shining white cdour, 
and, almost transparent. 



315 

Rice is of two kinds, namely, the wet and the 
dry ; the former is that which is usually grown in 
low marshy grounds. It is even customary, in less 
swampy places, provided a river or stream of water 
be convenient, to inundate the rice by means of 
sluices, and completely to soak the herb, so soon as 
it appears above the surface, as well as in its fur- 
ther progress towards maturity. The fibrous root of 
the rice plant puts forth stems, which generally 
grow to the height cf four or five feet ; these stems 
are chamfered thicker and firmer than those of 
wheat, and knotted with joints situated at equal 
distances : the leaves are long, fleshy, and some- 
what similar to those of the leek ; the flowers ap- 
pear on the tops of the stalks or stems, are of a pur- 
ple colour, and grow in clusters like the flowers of 
millet : to these succeed the seeds, which are of an 
oblong form, white, semi-transparent, and hard, and 
whereof each is enclosed in a yellowish, rough, 
chamfered, angulous, shaggy shell or rind, termi- 
nated by a point or spike, the whole being disposed 
alternately along the stems. This is the species of 
rice that is generally brought from the Levant, 

The other species, called the dry rice, hy reason 
of its being cultivated without the aid of water, is 
grown on dry lands, principally on the mountains, 
and possesses a saccharine flavour not unlike that of 
the filbert. The mountaineers of Cochin-China 
sow their rice in dry ground, as we sov/ our corn, 
R r 



316 

aiid always perform the operation at the end of the 
rainy season. 

In Mangalore, the seed is generally planted like 
pease. If the plantation be situated in low ground, 
which receives the rain and absorbs the whole of it^ 
the seed must be planted two feet asunder, with a- 
bout four grains to every hole ; but if the situation 
be a sloping one, or remarkably dry, the seed need 
only be eight or ten inches asunder, and planted 
about the depth of three inches from the surface, 
in furrows ; the land may be afterwards strewn o- 
ver with what seed remains. The rice us\ial- 
ly appears above ground at the end of five or six 
days, provided the soil be fresh, but it remains 
much longer w^hen the situation is dry ; it ripens in 
about four or five months. One hundred pounds 
of lice in the husk, usually yields from 73 to 80 
pounds of w^hite rice. In India they cut it very 
close to the ground ; and, from the roots, exceed- 
ingly delicate blades soon spring up, which are es- 
teemed good fodder for the cattle. 

;; The method of cultivating rice in China, is thuS' 
described by Mr Duhamel. 

" ' X To J^asten the sprouting of the rice, it is put 
into baskets, and soaked for some days in a stand- 
ing water. 2 . When their rice-grounds are so 
soaked wath water as to be quite like mud, they 
are ploughed with a buffalo yoked to a plough, very 
simple in its make, having but one share, one han^ 



317 

die, and no wheels. 3, After a gentle rain, they 
break the clods with a kind of large hurdle, drawn 
by a large buffalo ; the driver sitting upon it to in- 
crease the weight. 4. The ground is cleared of all 
stones, and whatever roots are in it are pulled up 
by a strong harrow, with great iron teeth. This 
instrument is drawn by a buffalo, and a m^n guides 
it by the help of two handles, like those of a plough^ 
upon which he leans hard. The earth is like mud, 
and partly covered with water during all this ope- 
ration. 5. The earth is afterwards smoothed with 
a harrow, which has several rows of teeth. A man 
guides this harrow by its two handles^ whilst ^ 
buffalo draws it ; and as fast as its teeth form little 
channels in the ground, the water runs in and fillsf 
them up. 6. When the rice that was laid to soai^ 
has sprouted, the seed is known to be good ; and 
it is then sown by hand, very thick, and as equally 
as possible. Part only of the ground is sown iri 
this manner, to furnish plants for the rest, The 
day after it has been sown, the points of the plants 
appear above the surface of the water ; for the 
ground is overflowed all this time with just a sufB^ 
cient quantity of water to cover it. And it is addr 
ed, that when the plants have acquired a little 
strength, they aie sprinkled with lime-water, to de- 
stroy the insects, and some of the weeds that would 
hurt them. For this purpose, a small basket is fas- 
tened to the end of a long haridle, and dipt in the 
Ilr2 



318 

lime-water, which runs through it, and is conveyed 
over the plants. And the Chinese have a great ve- 
neration for the first inventor of this method, which 
answers to the custom in Great Britain, of steeping 
wheat in lime-water, or manuring land with quick- 
lime. 7. Towards April, when the plants are grown 
strong enough to cover the whole field, and look very 
green and even, the greatest part of them is pull- 
ed up by handfulls ; all the mud is carefully wash- 
ed off their roots, and, being held at the same time 
as even as possible with one another, they are 
planted in tufts, pretty far asunder, and in a quin- 
cunx form, in fields prepared on purpose for them. 
A serene day is chosen for this operation, which 
must be performed as quick as possible. This 
practice of the Chinese is, he thinks, with respect 
to the common culture of rice, what the new hus- 
bandry is with respect to the com.mon culture of 
wheat. 8. The rice must be watered, which is 
always done in China by overflowing it. To this 
end, the rice-grounds are always near a rivulet, 
pond, or great pool of water, from which they are 
separated only by a bank or causeway. If the 
water was higher than the rice-ground, a trench 
cut through the causeway would overflow it at 
once; but as it is generally lower, or on a level 
with the rice-ground, the necessary quantity is con- 
veyed in pails or buckets, which are worked chiefly 
by the help of ropes. 9. Though a man cannot 



319 

step in these rice-grounds without being up to hi^ 
knees ; the Chinese weed them three times in a sum- 
mer, and that with such care, that they pull up even 
the roots of every weed. 10. When the rice is ripe, 
which is known by its turning yellow, like wheat, 
it is cut down with a sickle, made into sheaves, 
and carried into a barn, where it is thrashed with 
flails, pretty much the same as in Europe ; the 
straw is removed with pitch-forks and shovels, and 
the outer husk of the grain is taken off by beating 
it with great wooden pestles, or a kind of mallet, 
after which it is sifted and winnowed : and, lastly, 
to get off the under husk, the grain is put between 
two mill-stones^ which are worked by a lever fast- 
ened to. the upper one. But the two most remark- 
able circumstances of this culture are, Ist, The care 
which the Chinese take not to let their plants be 
too close together, lest they should rob one another 
of their food ; and, 2dly, Their weeding their rice 
grounds three times in a summer, which answers 
the end of the hoeings recommended for the alleys 
between the beds of other grain, cultivated accord- 
ing to the horse-hoeing husbandry. 

In South Carolina, on tide lands, the general pro- 
duce of rice is from 1200 to 1500 pounds per acre 
of clean rice ; on inland tracts from 600 to 1,500 
pounds *. In Louisiana, in common seasons, the 

^ Warden's Account of the United StateS;, vol. 2(1, p. 4*5. 



produce per acre is estimated at fifteen barrels, each 
weighing 200 lbs. The nett value arising from 
100 acres, cultivated by 50 workmen, is estimatecj 
at 700 barrels, which at six dollars a barrel, giVe^ 
4200 dollars, or 84 for each hand. It is calculated 
that there are 250,000 acres in Louisiana fit for the 
culture of this plant, which, yielding seven barrelg 
an acre, at six dollars j9^r barrel, would produce an 
annual revenue of 10,500,000 dollars *, And I 
may observe by the way, that there is an equal 
quantity fit for its cultivation in the territory of ■ 
Poyais. Rice can be cultivated in places unfit for 
any other grain, and the crop is more certain. 

The following is an estimate of the expence and 
probable profit of a farm cultivated in rice. 

First cost of 160 acres of land at Is. 
pe?' acre, and of which 50 are planted 
with rice, - - - - - £8 

Clearing and preparing the land at 10s 
per acre, - - - • 

House and other buildings, 



25 








27 





J 


£60 


Q 






Returns^ from 50 acres of land plant- 
ed in rice, at 2000 lbs. per acre, 
>^100,000 lbs. which at 15s per cwt. 670 \i % 

I— 

• Wardens Account of the United States, vol. 2d, p. 5SS, 



Deduct the wages of 25 workmen, 
one half women and children, for one 
year, - * - - - 240 



Clear profit, £430 

From the above it appears that with a capital of 
about £200, employed in a rice plantation, that a 
clear income of £430 per annum may easily be 
obtained. 



Maize, — Commonly called Indian Corn, is a 
very productive grain ; the size of its ears, when 
it is cultivated on good warm soils, being, on a 
medium, nearly a span long, having commonly 
eight or more rows of grain, each of which usually 
contains about thirty seeds of various colours, as 
red, white, yellow, blue, olive, greenish, blackish, 
speckled, striped, 8^e. sometimes in the same 
field and same ear; but the white and yellow are 
the most common ; nor does this diversity of colour 
ever reach beyond the outside of the grain, the 
flower of which is always white, with a little tinge 
of yellow. The seeds, which are as big as large 
peas, are round at the outer surface, very smooth ^ 
and set extremely close in straight lines. The ear 
is clothed and armed with several strong thick 
husks, which defend it not only from unseasonable- 
rains, and the cold of the night, but also fron:i 



3i2 

birds. It has long leaves, almost like the flag,' at 
every joint, and, at the top, a bunch of flowers of 
various colours. 

The leaves of this plant when cut green, afford a 
good cattle-food, and the stalk and envelope of the 
grain dried in bundles, are equal, for cattle and 
sheep to the best hay. This grain is superior to 
all others for fattening cattle, hogs, and poultry. 
The flour mixed with rye, in the proportion of a 
third, makes excellent brown bread, and is in com- 
mon use in America. 

In Louisiana, maixe was cultivated by the In- 
dians for their subsistence during great part of thie 
year, and, after the French were established in it, be- 
came an article of exportation to the sugar islands. 
The mode of culture was as follows : the canes 
growing naturally on the soil were cut down, and 
the trees stripped of their bark, to the height of 
two feet from the ground, in the beginning of 
March, when the sap was in motion. About fif- 
teen days after, the whole was set on fire and con- 
sumed, and the maize sown the following day in 
squares of four feet asunder ; the only trouble af- 
terwards was to destroy the tender and brittle 
shoots which spring up from the roots of the cane, 
not destroyed by the fire. 

In North America, the common method of pre- 
paring land for Indian corn, is, in the fall, to plough 
it, or what is termed flushing it. The soil is rais- 



323 

ed in a rough manner by ploughing broad furrows ; 
it being so thin, that it is not turned over, but 
stands very much on the edge. In the latter end 
of April, or beginning of May, the plan is, to list 
it out, that is, crossing the field five or six feet a- 
sunder, setting two furrows back to back, then 
the like the other way, which forms a sort of hill 
where their furrows cross each other. The practice 
is then to go with a large hoe, such as that its 
weight will break the clods, and also to make the 
mould very fine, something similar to the manner 
that gardeners prepare cucumber beds in field gar- 
dens. In these hills are put four or five corns. 
Reckoning four corns to one hill, four thousand 
only will be required to plant an acre containing 
a thousand hills. When the corn is come up, the 
custom is for the labourers to go with their hoes, 
and draw a little mould to the plants, destroy any 
weeds that may appear, and plant fresh corn, if 
any be wanting, which often happens ; that done, 
to plough from those hills both ways, then to go 
with the hoes, and work the hills again, and to 
draw the plants of an inferior kind out, leaving two 
of the best on each hill, or, if the land be good, 
three and sometimes four, and to transplant those 
drawn out where any are wanting. Then to plough 
all the land towards the plants one w^ay ; after 
this, it is necessary to (what they term) sucker 
them, that is, to take off any young sprouts that 

Ss 



^4 



have Uttered, otherwise the com will not grow in 
the ear to its proper length or size, but grow short, 
what they call cobbings ; this done, just before it 
goes into silk, they plough the land to the com the 
contrary way, which makes five times in all. 

Good Indian- corn will grow from twelve to fourteen 
feet high; the white is much higher than the 
yellow, but the yellow kind is by far the sweetest, 
although the tops and blades are not so abundant. 
As soon as it is formed, they begin to eat it, in 
what is termed roasting ears ; they boil them, and 
eat the corn in the same manner as we do green 
pease, with drawn butter. The blades and tops 
feed the horses, cattle, and sheep ; the corn feeds 
both man and beast, and is very excellent food for 
fowls, hogs, Sec. The people eat it in homhiy, 
mush and bread, or cakes ; the hominy is made in 
like manner to creed wheat buttered^ by knocking 
the husk off in a wooden mortar ; the mush is 
made of the flour as our hasty-pudding, and eaten 
with milk or treacle. The better sort of people 
make a very nice cake, with eggs and milk, about 
the thickness of what are called crumpets in Lon- 
don ; the lower class of people mix the flour with 
water, make a sort of paste, and lay it before the 
fire on a board or shingle to bake, and generally cat 
it hot, as it is but very indifferent food when cold : 
it is called Johny cake. 



in Indiana, on the best lands, the iaverage pro- 
duce is said to be from fifty to sixty bushels per 
acre. In South Carolina, on a good soil, well ma- 
nured, the greatest produce is one hundred bushels 
an acre ; but in the middle parts, in strong dry 
lands, the common produce is from thirty to fifty 
bushels ; and, in the low country, it seldom exceeds 
thirty; In America it is a common practice to 
plant pease or pumpkins among the rows of the In- 
dian corn. 

In the territory of Poyais, there are three crops 
of Indian corn in the year, and the produce will 
generally exceed one hundred bushels an acre, 

Estimate of the eospence, and probable returns, 
of a farm, cultivated in Indian com. 

First cost of 160 acres at Is. per 
acre, of which 50 acres are planted in 
Indian corn, - ^ ^ , 8 

Clearing and fencing 50 acres at lOs^ 
per acre - - - - - 25 p 

Building a farm-house - • 12 

Two horses, with harness and plough 12 Q 

Co^ys and hogs, poultry, seed com, 

ate. / . - ^. ^ . 13 



M70 



S32 



326 

Eetums from 50 acres of land, plant- 
ed in Indian-corn, at 100 bushels per 
acre, and at 4s. per bushel - 1000 

There will at least be another crop 
in the year, which ought likewise to 
produce - - - > 1000 



'^000 
Deduct the wages of 12 labourers, 
one half women and children - 114 



Clear profit - - £1886 



From the above it appears, that a capital of less 
than dSl50 employed in the cultivation of Indian- 
corn, would produce an income of dgJ886 1 1 The 
returns and price are both estimated low, and there 
is no danger of the price being reduced from the 
largeness of the quantity produced, as a ready mar- 
ket can at all times be found for it at Jamaica, and 
the other British West India islands, where im- 
mense quantities are consumed in feeding the ne- 
groes 'y and the planters upon seeing that they could 
obtain a regular supply, would soon abandon the 
raising of provisions, employing their slaves in the 
cultivation of the more valuable products of sugar 
and coffee. 

As the large profits arising from such a farm, and 
on so small a capital, may startle gome of my read- 



327 

crs, I beg leave to observe, that one hundred bush- 
els jp^ acre, is a frequent crop in Louisiana, and 
sells there for a dollar, or 4s. 8d. per bushel, and 
allowing for three crops in the year in the territory 
of Poyais, it would make the returns 300 bushels 
per acre per annum. The best plan, however, 
would be to clear and prepare one hundred acres, 
planting fifty of them in rotation. Twelve labour- 
ers would be found to be quite sufficient for the 
cultivation of such a farm. 



fit 



'J'. 



Jtf ANNERS AND CUSTOM^q 

:\i SH iiobiaqoic 

NATIVE INDIANS/ 



The Natives arettmj^ld'ojH:^^ finSBa^ 
the one, of the original Indians ; the other, who are 
called Samboes, a mixture of these with Africans 
of the Samba country, occasioned, as is supposed, 
by a Dutch ship full of that people having been 
cast away, many years ago, to the southward of 
Nicaragua, from whence the negroes travelled to 
the Mosquito territory, where, after several rencoun- 
ters with the natives^ they had wives arid ground 
allotted them*, ' ^ 

The Mosquito Indians were, formerly, very power- 
ful and numerous ; but they were much reduced, 
some years ago, by the small-pox. What their 
present number is, however, tho' since that visita- 
tion, it must have considerably increased, it is not 
possible to ascertain with any degree of accuracy, 

i, 1- «-'>>. I*. • ^•:''- \., -i'. ' r - ;,:■ .„■...; '^i... . . .. . ,..; U^T' 'f' 

* Edward's Hist, of the West Indies, ypl, 5tb| |V i|l%A|f.p. 
Henderson's Honduras, p. I78. > . <. * 

W right s Memoir, p. 2S. ^ "^ 

. - ^ ^ ' ■ . .. • ^ ... i/ . . 



329 

Both tribes are well made^ strong, and rather tall : 
the former have the colour of the thin Dutch cop- 
per, ^nd long straight hair ; the Samboes are of" all 
ahades between the Indian and the black, and their 
hair, in proportion as they approach the latter, par- 
takes of the wooL The features of the whole na- 
tion indeed are rather agreeable : their foreheads are 
high, their noses inclining to the aquiline, their 
teeth good, and their eyes and hair black. The 
^Yomen are frequently handsome ; their children, 
jvhen young, are particularly so* Their habits and 
intercourse with each other denote much affection ; 
the old and the young being found in continual 
association"*. 

The conduct of the people gives a very favour- 
able idea of Indian nature. They are seldom guilty 
of positive evil, and often rise to positive good, when 
^is latter quality does not require much exertion of 
mind. They possess modesty, docility, good faith, 
?i disposition to friendship, ; and grati t ude. They 
have good capacities, a great desire for information, 
are ingenious in learning any mechanic art, and set 
about what they undertake with a good will f , a cirr- 

• Hentlerson*s Honduras, p. 21 6. 

+ The following fact is illustrative of this feature of 
their character. " There was a proposal from a Spanish mer- 
" chant, at that time, to cut a road from Black River on the 
" Mosquito shore into the province of Comayagua,vhich would 
'-' be a I'^Ady way to and from the South Sea, and would he « 



3S0 

cuinstance unknown to any of those Indians who 
are in an abject state of submission to their fellow- 
creatures. They are hospitable to each other ; are 
extremely attached to the British, of whose justice 
and magnanimity they entertain a most exalted o- 
pinion. A tradition hais long prevailed amongst 
them, that the grey- eyed people^ meaning the 
English, have been particularly appointed to pro- 
tect them from oppression and bondage ; and the;f 
may enviably be classed with the very few tribes 
whose liberties have remained uninterrupted by 
European aggression on this side of the Atlantic *. 
The Samboes inhabit the country from Sandy 
Bay to Potook ; they are tolerably numerous, ra- 
ther indolent, most of their labour being performed 
by their wives. There is no mode of ascertaining 
their number; but Captain Wright, writing in 1808, 
says, from many circumstances, it may be inferred, 
that 500 men might be induced to follow an army, 

" means of the merchants going and coming with safety ; 
" thereby preventing the Dutch from carrying on that valu- 
" able trade to Truxillo Bay, which they had so long mono- 
'* polized. The Popyya (or Poyai) Indians, accordingly cut 
" the road, and drew their trade, as was intended, to Black 
" River ; which hath thereby increased the profits of our com- 
" merce to a prodigious degree. '* 

Wed India Pilot, p. 31, 
* Edwards' Hist, of the West Indies, vol. 2d, p. 210, App. 

Henderson*s Honduras, p. 212. 

M. S. Memoir. 



3B1 

without injury to their own country. They are 
particularly useful as woodsmen, skilful in hunt- 
ing, striking fish, managing batteaux, canoes, dorys, 
and pit-pans, either in rapid rivers, or high surf 
beaches. They have an idea, that in whatever ser- 
vices their friends or relations may lose their lives, 
or die a natural death, that all such must be paid 
for, and it has been regularly demanded, even in 
battle ; when satisfactory answers have not been 
given, they have been known to retreat in a most 
dangerous and disorderly manner ; as, on the con- 
trary, if they had been promised payment, they 
might have materially assisted in defeating the 
Spanish dragoons, in the plains of either Matigul- 
pha, or Watigulpha *. 

They have no modes of public worship, nor 
could any particular forms of religious persuasion 
be found to prevail amongst them. They are not 
idolaters, but worship a God, or, as they say, a 
first and good principle, whom they allow to be the 
God of their friends the English, Like all other 
nations, however, in an early stage of civilization, 
they are subject to the general superstitions as to 
the existence of devils, the chief one of whom they 
call the Woolsaw, or evil principle, witchcraft, &c. 
They have a kind of priest called Sookie, a person of 



* Wright's Memoir, p. 26. 

Tt 



a^2 

high importance^and whose occult skillis ever regard- 
ed with the deepest and most implicit veneration*. 

In common with most, if not with all Indian 
tribes, polygamy prevails, and a plurality of 
wives is the privilege of every husband in the 
Mosquito nation ; but perhaps it has seldom been . 
indulged, in equal extent, in any country. Many 
men here claim from two to six wives ; few can be 
found satisfied with one : their late King surpassed 
all his subjects in this respect, he claimed no less 
than twenty-two I His Mosquito Majesty might 
very well have exclaimed with honest Launcelot — 
** Alas I fifteen wives is nothing." At the same 
time, it may be observed, that this circumstance is 
attended with far less inconvenience than might 
possibly be found annexed to it in most other situ- 
ations ; the numerous claimants for the affection or 
favour of their lord never discovering the least 
jealousy or hatred towards each other f . 

The females, as in most Indian nations, are taken 
for wives at a very tender age, frequently when 
they have scarcely attained their tenth year. The 
contract for their destination in this respect is, not 
uncommonly, formed, at the hour of their birth, 



* Henderson's Account of Honduras, p. 222. 
The Columbian Navigator, tyircctionsfor the CoaaU of Ter* 
ra Firma, &c. p. 23. 

t Hendersoii^s Honduras; p. 222. 



333 

with the husband and the parents of the parties. 
From what would seem so premature an engage- 
ment, that which usually discovers itself in this sex, 
in such circumstances, must be expected to happen-— 
an early appearancQ of advanced years. It is like- 
wise observed, what is a natural consequence of the 
above, that the comparative difference in the dura- 
tion of life in the sexes is very considerable. 

A singular custom is scrupulously observed by 
the women of this nation. At the time of partu- 
rition, a habitation is prepared for them in the deep- 
est recesses of the woods, to which, with a female 
assistant, they retire, and where they remain seclud- 
ed from every eye for a stated period. This past, 
a public lustration of themselves and their offspring 
must take place previously to their being again ad- 
mitted to the society of their relatives and friends f . 
They have one law against adultery which has 
something curious in it* The fine imposed on the 
offender is, that he pay the injured husband an ox. 
This penalty the head-man of the particular tribe 
to which the adulterer belongs, is strictly bound, 
by long custom, to see punctually complied with, 
or one of his own cattle may be taken as a lawful 
indemnity. Should the latter happen, the chief 
then exacts, as an equivalent for what he loses by 



♦ Henderson's Honduri^^ p. 223, 
t Ibid. 

Tt2 



384 

the offence, a stated period of servitude from the 
offender *• 

They have given sufficient proof of bravery by 
their many expeditions against the Spaniards in the 
Bay of Honduras, Carpenter's Kiver, Cocly, across 
the continent, &c. and in v^hich they have seldom 
•failed of success. About the year 1709, the Spa- 
niards, for the first and last time, attempted to re- 
turn their visits, with a tolerable armament ; but an 
inferior number of those brave unconquered Indians 
lay in their canoes till they could cut them off 
from the shore, and then attacked them fairly on 
the open sea, destroying all of them but one man, 
whom they allowed to go back with such news as 
cured the Spaniards of invasions f. 

Their dwellings are formed in a style of the rudest 
simplicity, being little more than a number of rough 
poles placed perpendicularly in the ground, and 
roofed with the leaves of the palmetto tree. They 
are usually large, and left entirely open at the sides. 
The floor is of clay, and in the center of it is the 
fire-place. Four or five of their houses are gene- 
rally within call of each other, and such little ham- 
lets are scattered all over the country. These ha- 
bitations seldom contain more than one apartment, 
and this commonly affords accommodation to seve- 

* Henderson's Hon;lura!=, p, 22 S. 
t M. S. Memoir, 



335 

jal families. The bed of each, a mat, is placed on_ 
what is called a harhecu, a frame made of sticks, 
and raised a few feet from the ground. This, with 
a few earthen pots for cookery, are the chief articles 
of furniture *. 

Remains of some of the old Mexican customs may- 
be observed among them, and several kinds of 
stone and earthen vessels, and utensils embossed 
with figures, are found in many parts of the country 
buried in heaps, (probably at first with other things 
that have since decayed), which seems to indicate 
their having been, formerly, in a greater state of 
civilization than at present ; but that to the sole 
resolution of defending their liberty, (which they 
have truly done) they sacrificed every thing else. 
The chief arts now among them are, making very 
durable cotton cloth, and thread or twine of silk 
grass for nets, and hammocks, lances, harpoons, 
bows, arrows, and canoes of all sorts and sizes. As 
in all other countries in a similar stage of civiliza- 
tion, where the subdivision of labour has not been, 
at least to any extent, introduced, every man is a 
tailor, hunter, fisher, and an extremely good 
swimmer. Yet those white men who have lived 
some time according to nature, and, by going with- 
out clothes, have arrived at the same use of their 



* Henderson's Honduras, p. 218. 



336 

limbs as is possessed by the Indians, are not inle^ 
lior to them in athletic accomplishments ^. 

They wear little clothing ; seldom any thing more, 
both nien and women, than a small kind of wrap- 
per, which reaches from the lower part of the wai&t 
to the middle of the thigh. The women decorate 
their persons, with a profusion of beads, to which 
species of finery, like most, if not all Indian tribes, 
they are passionately attached, and very commonly 
paint their faces and necks with a kind of red ochre, 
which is fomid in their country. Their children go 
entirely naked; and, when young, are always borne 
on the back of the mother. All offices of the do- 
m.estic kind are exclusively performed by the fe- 
male : the male would be degraded by such ser- 
vices f. 

These Indians may, in one respect, be thought to 
resemble the improvisatori of some other countries ; 
their metrical effusions being entirely spontaneous, 
and usually thrown into a kind of measure, which, 
if it be rude and uncultivated, possesses, neverthe- 
less, something peculiarly soft and plaintive to re- 
commend it. The subjects which call forth their 
poetical effusions are chiefiy of the latter descrip- 
tion J. 



* M. S. Memoir. 

+ Henderson's Honduras; p. 217. 



S37 

They are very fond of European commodities, in 
tlie choice of which they are influenced either by 
their real utility or gaudiness. Fire arms and edge 
tools they have now been so long used to that they 
could not do without them. They take nothing 
else in payment for what they earn or sell, money 
not being current among them *. 

The chief things they traffic with are, tortoise- 
shell, <ianoes in the rough, horses, horned cattle, 
green turtle, turkies, fov/ls and parrots ; and they 
hire themselves out to hunt, strike fish, or navigate 
small craft along the shore, and even the bars of the 
rivers, which last requires great skill, and in the 
performance of which they are particularly dexter- 
ous. But getting tortoise-shell is their grand employ- 
ment from the age of fifteen to twenty. Peruaguas 
(large canoes,) with about twelve men in each, are 
employed on this from April to August. If they 
have formed any plan of an expedition, they choose 
this time to execute it, and therefore set out and 
keep together till it is over, otherwise they straggle 
from the first, and spread all the way from Blewfields 
to Baca del Drago f . The produce of their labour 
usually amounts to upv/ardsof ten thousand pounds 
of shell. 

They all talk a Kttle English ; but their own Ian- 



« M. S. Memoir. 
t Ibid. 



338 

guage Is peculiar to themselves, as are some of their 
customs I to none of which however are they attach- 
ed from any feeling of bigotry or superstition. 
Upon any other account, however, than as they 
illustrate the manners of the people, they do not 
seem deserving of attention. But, altogether, they 
are so superior to the neighbouring Indians, that 
their denominating these last wild, as the ancient 
Greeks called aU the rest of the world barbarians, 
is no great comparative impropriety. 



339 



COMMERCE. 



The Geographical position of this hitherto ne- 
glected country, being in the vicinity of some of 
the richest provinces of Spanish America, at near- 
' ly an equal distance between the southern part of 
the United States on the one hand, and the new 
Republic of Columbia on the other, being also 
within a convenient distance of the West India Is- 
lands, and close to the British Territory in Yucatan; 
together with the immense variety of exceedingly 
valuable commercial commodities, which are the 
natural productions of the soil, present of themselves, 
even independent of the operations of the planter 
or cultivator, a rich field for successful commercial 
industry. 

It is well known, that although the Spanish pro- 
vinces alluded to, are abundantly supplied with 
the precious metals, and with other commodities 
almost of equal value, (such as indigo, cochineal, 
&c.) they are in want of almost every article of 
British manufacture ; and although the recent poli- 
tical changes which have taken place in Guatemala 
and Mexico, may, if completed, lead to a more li- 
beral commercial policy, in so far as relates to the 

Uu 



340 

introduction of European goods, it is not probable 
that the ancient duties, and restrictive regulations, 
will be so completely withdrawn, as to admit, by 
the Gulf of Mexico or Spanish ports in the Bay 
of Honduras, a supply of European goods, nearly 
sufficient for the demand, in the interior provinces 
of Mexico, and in the rich kingdom of Guatemala. 

It therefore is evidently through the Territory of 
Poyais, possessing a south-western boundary, which 
reaches to within a short distance of the Pacilic 
ocean, with rivers navigable a considerable way in- 
to the interior, and also trading paths, leading into 
the centre of the neighbouring provinces, that not 
only the latter kingdom, but also the south-eastern 
provinces of the Mexican empire, must be supplied 
with the merchandize of Europe ; more particular- 
ly, whenever the navigation of the Gulf of Mexico 
shall be interrupted by hostilities betv/een the Un- 
ited States and Spain, or any other power ; an event 
which even at present is perhaps not far distant. 

The advantages of this trade, even in its present 
state, are well known, and appreciated in the West 
Indies ; and it has beeti computed, that even in the 
uncivilized state of the country, and independent 
of the native consumption, manufactured goods to 
the value of upwards of fifty thousand pounds pass 
annually into the Spanish American provinces, 
through this territory alone, yielding under every 
disadvantageous contingency, a very large profit to 



341 

the adventurers ; and there is no doubt, that this 
trade, protected by a wise and liberal policy on 
the part of the Government of Poyais, may be car- 
ried to an extent, much beyond any calculation 
which can at present be formed, and that it will 
amply remunerate those who may become interest- 
ed. 

Notwithstanding, however, the great value of this 
trade, and the great length to which it may ulti- 
mately be carried, it can only be considered in a 
secondary point of view, when put m present com- 
petition with the irnmense gain which may im- 
mediately be derived, from the numerous and valu- 
able commercial commodities which are the natural 
production of the territory itself, and which, inde- 
pendent of the labour of the planter or agriculturist, 
present an inexhaustible source of prosperity, to the 
intelligent and industrious European, aided as he 
will readily be, by the labour of a faithful, docile, 
and peaceable native population. 

For immediate exportation to Europe and the 
States, and in return for the capital which may 
be employed, or for the European goods which may 
be imported for the native trade, or the supply of 
the settlers, the country abounds in mahogany of 
the finest description, and of every size ; and as the 
good qualities of this useful, durable and beautiful 
timber, are every where becoming better known 
and appreciated, the consumption both in Europe 

Uu2 



842 

and in the States, is rapidly increasing, not only 
for the purposes to which it has hitherto usually 
becQ applied, but ^Iso for ship-building ; and how- 
ever the heavy duty in Britain may, if not removed 
or modified, affect the sale of the low qualities, ma- 
hogany will always form a leading article of export 
to Great Britain, as well as to the United States 
and continental Europe^ 

Dyewoods, such as logwood, fustic, Nicaragua 
wood, yellow sanders, &c. will likewise form not 
the least valuable part of a general cargo ; there are 
besides, a great quantity of other exceedingly useful 
and beautiful woods ; such as cedar, Santa Maria, 
rosewood, zebrawood, lancewood, somewood, and 
many others ; which, as their inestimable qualities 
(some of them have already been mentioned), be- 
come more generally known, will be everywhere 
eagerly demanded. 

The medicinal gurns and drugs, which are so 
plentifully dispersed throughout the country, and 
which can be collected in great quantity at 
a very small expence, will also form no incon- 
siderable part of the exports ; amongst these are, the 
balsam capivi, dragons blood, gum copal, gum ani- 
me, caoutchouc, or gum elastic, and many others : 
Sarsaparilla, the consumption of which as a medi- 
cine, is rapidly increasing over all Europe, may also 
be procured in great quantity ; and even so long 
ago as the year 1769, above two hundred thousand 



343 

pounds of this valuable drug, was in that year ex- 
ported ^ principally to England, and there is no 
doubt that double, or perhaps triple that quantity, 
might now be annually collected. Many medicinal 
barks and woods may also be found in this coun- 
try, and would liberally repay the researches of a 
good medical botanist. 

Vegetable oils will likewise, in a very short 
time, become a considerable part of the experts 
from this territory ; castor oil, palm oil, and many 
others, could be prepared in great quantity ; and 
the experience derived from the success of former 
settlers, or adventurers, who made considerable for- 
tunes by the preparation of this commodity, proves 
that it is one which well deserves attention. 

Amongst other articles, a quantity of beautiful 
skins and furs, will be procurable by barter or pur- 
chase, from the natives and the surrounding tribes, 
such as leopard, tiger, antelope, and other skins, 
besides small peltry. Cow, ox and horse hides, will 
also ultimately be obtained in sufficient quantity to 
become worth shipping. 

The great variety of timber with which the fo- 
rests abound, affords abundant niaterials for the ma- 
nufacturer of pot and pearl ashes ; and the to- 
mense ridges of pitch pine, which in endless tracts 
are interspersed all over the country, supply an in- 
exhaustible fund of tar, pitch, turpentine rosin, 

• Uryau Edwards' History of the West Iiidici?, 5th Edition. 



344 

6?^c. " the trees being so redundant with these li- 
*' quors, that when put into the deepest rivers, 
" they instantly sink *." The expence and trouble 
of preparing these articles, in a country where pro- 
visions are abundant, and where labour can be had 
on moderate terms, is well known to be trifling ; 
besides, the manufacture of these articles will in 
some measure be connected with the preparation 
of lumber, for the supply of the British settlements 
in the West Indies, a most important branch of 
trade to be hereafter mentioned, and which wath the 
raising of provisions for the same destination, will 
no doubt meet with the decided support and encou- 
ragement of His Highness the Cazique of Poyais, 
Tortoise-shell, and turtle, will always form a- 
notber exceedingly valuable article of export ; and 
it will no doubt be the policy of the Government of 
Poyals, to protect and encourage the turtle fishery 
on its own shores, as much as possible. The 
hawksbill turtle, from which the shell is procured, 
is very abundant on the coast ; and even so far back 
as the year formerly mentioned, upwards of ten 
thousand pounds weight of tortoise-shell, was sent 
to the mother country, by the British settlers, in 
that year f . Now, when a method has been disco- 
vered for preserving the flesh of the turtle for ex- 
portation to Europe, it has, (even independent of 

* Wright's Memoir. 

t Bryan Edwards' History, 5th Edition. 



345 

the shell,) become another article to be added to 
the list of exports, and an additional source of pro- 
fit to the merchant. 

Methods will no doubt be discovered, to preserve 
for exportation in a similar manner, many of the o- 
ther luxuries with which this territory is so liber- 
ally supplied ; and as the quantity of fish on the 
shores, and in the bays, lagoons, and rivers, is most 
abundant, and salt can be produced in any quan- 
tity, a very lucrative fishery, with a market at a 
very short distance, might unquestionably be estab- 
lished. Oysters of the most delicious quality, 
could be exported to any extent required, and o- 
ther descriptions of provisions will, it is probable, be 
in course of a little time prepared for foreign mar- 
kets. 

There are undoubtedly many other very valuable 
articles of merchandise, which, independent of a- 
griculture, are the natural production of the soil ; but 
to notice each of them at length, would extend the 
present chapter beyond the limits assigned. It 
may however be proper to notice, that the terri- 
tory does not exclusively depend upon foreign or 
inland trade, for a supply of the precious metals, or 
for the valuable dyes mentioned at the commence- 
ment of this article. There being, as has been for- 
merly stated, not only gold mines in the territory, 
but gold dust is also found in the rivers. Moreover, 
indigo is an indigenous plant, of the same kind, as 



346 

that from which the finest indigo of Guatemala is 
produced ; and the cochineal insect, both as re- 
gards food and climate, will doubtless thrive equal- 
ly well in this country, as in the neighbouring pro- 
vinces, where it is produced in such abundance : 
Annatto or nankeen^ and several other dyes, are 
also the produce of this territory ; and it has been 
said, that on a part of the coast is found, a small 
shell-fish, which affords the true Tyrian dye. 

Pimento, ginger, Guinea pepper, and many o- 
ther spices, are also natural productions of the coun- 
try ; and, together with fruits, such as lemons, 
oranges, limes, cocoa-nuts, tamarinds, and various 
preserves, will undoubtedly in a short time become 
very valuable export commodities. 

The ready supply of the British West India Is- 
lands with provisions, lumber, &c. is a matter of 
such immense importance to Great Britain, and is in 
every point of view, so much conducive to the welfare 
and prosperity of Poyais, that it will undoubtedly 
meet the particular attention, support, and encou- 
ragement of both Governments. 

To the intelligent and industrious European set- 
tler, in Poyais, it presents an inexhaustible field for 
his most active exertions, v/ith the certainty of am- 
ple and immediate remuneration for the labour and 
capital which he may be able to bring forward. 

To give some idea of the immense amount of 
the supplies required for the British settlements in 



347 

the West Indies, and the consequent extent of the 
demand which may be expected for the produce 
of Pojais, it appears unnecessary to state any thing 
more than the following list of the quantities of pro- 
visions, lumber, S^c, which were imported into and 
for the consumption of Jamaica alone for one year, 
viz. from the 29th day of September 1815, to the 
29th day of September 1816, agreeable to a gene- 
ral return, which has been laid before the Honour- 
able House of Assembly of that island. These sup- 
plies consisted of 60,947 barrels of flour; 4,875 
barrels, 7,485 bags, and 7,198 kegs of bread ; 2,942 
tierces, 1,740 barrels, and 2,849 bags of rice ; 
52,190 bushels, 1,578 bags, and 16,043 barrels of 
corn and meal ; 497 barrels and 800 bags of pease ; 
1,972 hhds. 7,109 casks, 3,358 boxes and 778 
quintals of dried fish ; 534 tierces, 19,170 barrels, 
and 991 kegs of piclded fish y 40,204 barrels of her- 
rings ; 9,375,943 staves and heading ; 10,071,830 
shingles ; 9,192,775 feet of timher ; together 
with 2,035 horses, Q,%\1 mules, 501 asses, and 
5,675 cattle. This list does not include beef, pork, 
butter and other articles ; and according to a return 
made a few years prior to the one above stated, 
these three necessaries amounted to the great quan- 
tity of 97,750 barrels of beef and pork, and 64,009 
firkins of butter. It must however be observed, 
that the last mentioned supplies, were not for the 
use of Jamaica alone, but for the British West In- 

Xx 



348 

dia Islands, generally, with the exception however 
of the conquered Islands of St Lucia, Tobago, and 
Trinidad. The supplies requisite for Jamaica a~ 
lone, being so extensive, it may fairly be calculated, 
that, for the consumption of the whole British pos- 
sessions in the West Indies, together with the Bri- 
tish continental colonies of Berbice, Demerara, Es- 
siquiba, and Balize in Yucatan, two or perhaps 
three times the amount of provisions furnished to 
Jamaica in 1816, are necessary, with at least three 
or four times the quantity of lumber ; and these im- 
mense supplies are even independent of what is re- 
quired for the islands and settlements belonging to 
other powers, in that quarter of the globe. With- 
out going farther into this subject, however, it is 
hoped enough has been said to prove, that a market 
exists ia the immediate neighbourhood of Poyais, 
capable of consuming the utmost quantity of lum- 
ber and provisions, which can (at least for several 
years to come,) be exported from that Territory, 
and consequently, that instant remuneration is pre- 
sented for siich labour, and capital, as may be en- 
gaged, either by the merchant in preparing lumber, 
or by the agriculturist in raising provisions ; or, 
what is likely to be still more profitable to early 
settlers from Europe, the conjoining together these 
twQ important sources of gain. The country, pos- 
sessing rivers navigable a considerable way into the 
interior, and being abundantly supplied with 



349 

streams of water, every facility is presented for e- 
recting at a very moderate expence, saw-mills, in 
the centre, as it were, of the immense pine forests, 
so plentifully interspersed all over the country ; 
while, at the same time, the rafts of prepar- 
ed lumber, and such other more valuable timber 
as might be ready for exportation, could, with the 
greatest ease imaginable, be floated down to the 
shipping port, or eventually, put immediately an 
hoard the small traders, usually employed in na- 
vigating the Gulf of Mexico, and Carribbean sea. 

A very moderate capital, in the hands of an in- 
telligent and industrious person, is adequate to such 
an undertaking, which of itself, would be a suffi- 
cient foundation for more extensive operations, 
leading in the end to affluence and prosperity ; and 
if combined, as it might easily be, with the raising 
of stock, growing of Indian corn, &c. a very rapid 
fortune might be accumulated. The native In- 
dians are well known to be excellent axe-men, and 
their labour could bQ obtained for very moderate 
wages, the greater part of wliich would be paid in 
trifling articles of European manufacture or pro- 
duce, which could be purchased ox imported for 
very little money. 

In addition to the saw-mills which are now a- 

bout being erected, and to those above>mentioned, 

the construction of a few powerful steam saw-mills 

in the vicinity of the principal shipping ports, for 

Xx2 



350 

the purpose of preparing timber of every descrip- 
tion, not only for foreign markets, but also for sale 
to the settlers, and for ship- building, would un- 
doubtedly, under proper management, yield an im- 
mense return to any commercial company of suffi- 
cient capital for the undertaking ; and as such es- 
tablishments would contribute to the general pro- 
sperity of the state, there is no doubt, on these per- 
sons becoming to a certain extent interested in the 
soil, the government of Poyais would give them e- 
very possible facility and encouragement. 

Although the demand for the markets of Europe, 
and for the use of the settlers, will undoubtedly 
be considerable, it is by exporting to the West In- 
dia Islands, as already stated, that the merchant 
must in the first instance look for a steady demand 
and ready market, for every description of lumber 
and provisions. 

The soil and climate being so well adapted for 
the production of Indian corn, (which can be rais- 
ed at three different periods within the year) it 
will perhaps be the interest of the early settler to 
pay immediate attention to the extensive growth of 
this article ; and when this valuable commodity, to- 
gether with rice, pease, and other pulse, is fully cul- 
tivated; when the immense savannahs or plains 
are stocked with the numerous herds of cattle 
which they are capable of rearing, and when pro- 
per establishments are formed for curing provisions 



351 

and fish for exportation, it may be hoped that the 
assertion made some years ago in the British Par- 
liament, " that the produce of the soil of the United 
States, was necessary to the eocistence of the Bri- 
tish West Indies,'^ can no longer be repeated with 
the least appearance of truth,— ^a circumstance de- 
voutly to be wished by every person interested in 
the welfare of Great Britain, 

Although these matters are unquestionably of vital 
importance, in the first instance, it is not to them 
alone that the intelligent settler inPoyais must in the 
end look for remuneration, or to increase the value 
of his property ; neither must the commercial man 
consider them the only commodities which are of 
importance to him ; on the contrary, the soil and 
climate being well adapted for the cultivation of 
all and each of those valuable commercial articles, 
which have rendered the West Indies so important, 
there is no doubt that the agriculturist will, while 
he pursues the objects pointed out for more im-r 
mediate attention, keep steadily in view, and gra- 
dually adopt, to a certain extent, the culture of the 
valuable articles alluded to, more especially coffee, 
cotton, tobacco, cocoa, &c. and although the cultiva- 
tion of the sugar-cane, and the manufacture of sugar 
and rum, will perhaps require a larger capital than it 
may be in the power of the generality of settlers 
to advance at the commencement, or that it may 
be prudent in them to divert at firsts from the 



352 

more immediate raising of stock and corn, there is 
no doubt, as a planter's means increase, he will find 
it his interest to introduce gradually and slowly by 
degrees, the cultivation of those more valuable 
commercial commodities which constitute the 
w^ealth of the West India planter. Some years 
previous to the removal of the English settlers 
from Poy ais, several sugar plantations had been form- 
ed at Black Eiver, and the sugar and rum which 
they produced was very generally deemed equal to 
the produce of Jamaica ^, and Captain Wright, in 
his Memoir, goes so far as to say that, from his 
own personal knowledge, together with what he 
had learned by reading and reflecting on the sub- 
ject, corroborated by ** many a long and prohx con- 
" versation with aged natives/' this country, if pro- 
perly cultivated, would be able " to supply the 
" whole world with rum, sugar, coffee, cocoa, and 
" molasses f ." 

Although these commodities, when produced for 
sale, will not at first be considerable in amount, they 
wall no doubt gradually be brought forward for ex- 
portation ; and they will consequently extend the 
operations of the merchant, affording him addition- 
al materials for an extensive trade with Continental 
Europe, and North and South America, and the 



* Flenderson's Hondura?, p. 89, 40. 
t Wright's Memoir, p. 29. 



S53 

ready means of paying for the merchandize requi- 
site, for the valuable trade mentioned at the com- 
mencement of this chapter. 

It would, perhaps, be premature to speculate 
upon the consequences to Poyais, which in a com- 
mercial point of view, must inevitably follow the 
opening a communication between the Atlantic 
and Pacific oceans. The practicability of such a 
measure has never been doubted, and that it will 
ultimately take place through a part of the Mosqui- 
to Territory, or in its immediate neighbourhood, un- 
der its controul, seems to be a prevalent opinion. 
— As a commercial depot, and otherwise, Poyais 
will undoubtedly derive incalculable benefit from 
the commencement and completion of such a mea- 
sure. 

The late act of Parliament for the regulation of 
the trade, between America and the British West 
Indies, gives every requisite facility and encourage- 
ment to the commercial operations of Poyais, whe- 
ther as regards the trade to the British settlements 
in the West Indies, or elsewhere ; and as the esta- 
blishment o^ free-ports y in that part of the world, 
by a neutral government, and under wise regula- 
tions, is a matter of such immense advantage to all 
parties, there is no doubt, equal facilities will be 
allowed by the United States, and the other go- 
vernments of America and Europe* 

It will perhaps be the policy of the government. 



354 

and the interest of the merchants of Poyais, to en- 
courage as much as possible, the employment in 
the first instance, of British built vessels, together 
with such Americans as may be requisite for the 
trade with the United States, more especially, as 
the construction of a sufficient number of vessels for 
the protection of the coast and neighbouring seas, 
from the depredations of piratical vessels, and for 
other purposes, together with the building of small 
trading craft, may perhaps at first be sufficient em- 
ployment for the dock-yards about to be establish- 
ed. There is no doubt, however, that as the coun- 
try affords abundant materials of almost every des- 
cription, ship-building will ultimately become a 
very profitable and important branch of trade. 

To those persons who, from limited means or 
otherwise, are obliged, in the first instance, to con- 
fine themselves to a small share of the country trade, 
the wants of the settlers and natives present a 
ready market for any quantity of small wares, such 
as hardware, cloathing, &^c. of every description ; in 
exchange for which, they will receive tortoise-shell, 
gums, dye-woods, gold dust, &^c. and by care and 
industry, their operations will gradually and quick- 
ly increase with their means. 

In short, it is hoped, that considering the exten- 
sive trade which may ultimately be carried on with 
the European Colonies in the West Indies, as well 
as with Great Britain — The United States — Mexi- 



355 

CO, — South America and Contmental Europe,— -the 
advantages to be derived from the establishment of 
free ports, (especially whenever the navigation of 
that part of the globe shall be disturbed by belli- 
gerents) — the relative posit ion^ — valuable natural 
productions — ^fine climate, and internal capabilities 
of this neglected country, — enough has been said 
to prove the great encouragement, and manifold 
advantages, which must be derived from commer- 
cial establishments in the Territory of Poyais : and 
now, that the well known political circumstances 
are removed, which have hitherto retarded the ad- 
vancement of this fine country, in civilization and 
in the scale of independent states, there seems no rea- 
son whatever to doubt, that, protected by the wise 
and vigorous administration, sound policy, and 
comprehensive views of His Highness the Cazique 
of Poyais, this beautiful country will rapidly ad- 
vance in prosperity and civilization, and will be- 
come, in every point of view, and within a very short 
period, not the least considerable of those '* radiant 
realms beyond the Atlantic wave*." 

* Edwards. 
FINIS. 



Leith.— Printed by Wm. Rcid, 




SOME ACCOUNT 



MOSQUITO TERRITORY; 



CONTAINED IN A MEMOIR, 

WRITTEN IN 1757, WHILE THAT COUNTRY WAS IN POSSESSION OF THE BRITI^Jfi, 

AND NOW, WITH PERMISSION OF THE AUTHOr's FAMILY, 

FIRST PUBLISHED FROM THE ORIGINAL MANUSCRIPT 

OF THE LATE 

eOLONEL ROBERT HODGSON, 

FORMERLY HIS MAJESTy's 

SUPERINTENDANT, AGENT, AND COMMANDER IN CHIEF 
OF THE MOSQUITO SHORE, 

BEFORE ITS ANNEXATION TO THE CROWN OF SPAIN. 



To YOU, the Genius of tliese einerald shores, 
With liberal hand, extends her ample stores." 

Lines addressed to Foyais. 



JsECOND EDITION. 



EDINBURGH : 

SOLD BY WILLIAM BLACKWOOD, & ALL THE BOOKSELLERS. 

1822. 



PREFACE. 



In order that the reader of the following 
Memoir may be convinced of the authenti- | 
city of its statements, respecting the many 
pre-eminent advantages of the Mosquito 
shore, it will be necessary to mention a few 
particulars relating to the Author. 

His father, Capt. Hodgson, of the 49th i*egt., 
was in habits of friendship and confidence 
with Sir William Trelawney, Governor of 
Jamaica ; by whom, in the year 1740, he was 
sent to the Mosquito Shoi'e to take posses- 
sion of that country, in the name of the King 
of Great Britain ; and it was accordingly 
ceded to his Majesty, represented by Capt. 
Hodgson, who was appointed Superintendant 



VI 



of the Mosquito Shores by the Governor of 
Jamaica, and resided there for some years. 
It was at that time considered a dependency 
of Jamaica. The chief settlement of the 
British was at the town of Black River, on 
the north part of the shore, where was also 
the seat of government. 

After the death of Capt. Hodgson> his 
son, Robert Hodgson, Esq. of the 49th regt. 
obtained from the British Government, the 
situation of Superintendant, Agent, and 
Commander-in-Chief on the Mosquito Shore. 
At the time of his soliciting the appointnaent, 
a handsome compliment to the public vir- 
tue of his father, was paid by Mr. Wood^ 
then Under Secretary of State, in a letter to 
his widow ; in which he observes, that her 
husband's exertions had been of great ad'- 
vantage to the public, with very little to 
himself. 

Robert Hodgson, Esq. remained Superin- 
tendant for nine years ; during three years 
of which period he made many voyages along 
the Mosquito Shore, in order to investigate 
different parts of the coast, and pursued his 



Vll 



excursions inland among the Injdians, to at- 
tach them more ejfFectually to the British 
interest. 

In taking possession of the Mosquito shore 
in 1740, the British were actuated by a be- 
lief that it ought to be considered an inde- 
pendant country, never having been conquer- 
ed by any nation, but remaining in the pos- 
session of the Aboriginal Indian tribes : the 
Spanish crown, however, obtained it at the 
peace of 1785 ; though it was not finally eva- 
cuated by the British settlers, till a separate 
convention in the year 1786 rendered their 
farther occupation of it impossible. 

To those who doubt the desirableness of 
the Mosquito Shore as a residence, let it be 
observed, that the first superintendant, Capt. 
Hodgson, spent most of his life there ; his 
son did the same ; the chief proprietor 
resident on the shore at the time of the 
cession, William Pitt, Esq., of Black River, 
did the same ; his children, and the other 
settlers, who were compelled by the Spanish 
Convention to abandon their possessions 
there, evacuated the shore with great regret. 



Vlll 



To those who are disposed to undervalue 
the importance of the Mosquito Shore, let it 
be observed, that it offers a fertile soil, and 
a genial climate, to such as merely wish to 
obtain a refuge from poverty ; since the 
necessaries of life may be obtained there in 
the greatest abundance, and of the most 
luxurious kinds. 

But it farther holds out the prospect of 
facilitating navigation and commerce in the 
highest degree, by an easy junction of the 
Pacific and Atlantic Oceans, along the line 
of the river San Juan, through the lakes of 
Nicaragua and Leon, whence to the Pacific 
is a level waggon-road of about twenty miles. 

It will, I am persuaded, confer an. addi- 
tional interest in the perusal of this Memoir, 
if I annex a short Preface by the Author of 
the Memoir. 



IX 



PREFACE OF THE AUTHOR. 

Whoever may happen to read the follow- 
ing sheets with any attention, will of course 
be desirous of knowing how the person who 
Wrote them became enabled so to do. On 
this account most of his voyages are sub- 
joined^, which, though chiefly upon service, 
were undertaken voluntarily, with a different 
view to that of private interest. 

But as, while flattering himself with the 
hopes of being sometime or other of use 
there, he was endeavouring to explore this 
almost unknown part of the world, he lost 
the opportunity of being known himself; of 
him let it suffice to say, he was a gentleman, 
and in the army. 

* The account of Mr. Hodgson's Voyages has been omitted, not 
being material to the present purpose. 



SOME ACCOUNT 



OF THE 



MOSQUITO TERRITORY. 



The Mosquito Shore lies between 16^ 10' 
and 10^ 25' N. latitude, and between 83" 55' 
and 87° 50' W. longitude : the sea coa^t (in 
a general view) forms an angle, somewhat 
obstu'se, at Cape Gracias a Dios^ in latitude 
15° 0^ and longitude 83° 55'. From this cape 
the extent westerly is S5 leagues, and south- 
erly 95, making in the whole a coast of 180 
leagues ; the westerly extremity is Cape 
Honduras, latitude 16°, and the southern 
boundary is that branch of the lake of Nica- 
ragua^ called Nicaragua River, in longitude 
84° 10'. 



12 



The reason for ascertaining these bounds, 
is, that the Mosquito Indians have, ever 
since the country was known to Europeans, 
possessed and used this tract, without any 
other people whatsoever interfering with 
their native right of doing so ; they having 
never been conquered by any, nor ever having 
been friends with any but the British, who 
have likewise spread almost from one end to 
the other of it ; under their protection, white 
families having lived as far westerly as Roman 
River, (where they still employ many ne- 
groeSj) and their hunters used to go to Cape 
Honduras. But the most westerly settlement 
is now at Cape River, and the most southerly 
at Punta Gorda, the inhabitants of which 
employ both themselves and their slaves as 
far as Nicaragua. The chain of little settle- 
ments between these places will be best 
shown by the table of them ; and, though 
some of them have notoriously been esta- 
blished above a hundred years, no power has 
yet attempted to disturb them. 

It is not easy to determine with certainty 
the inland boundaries; but the situations 



13 



of part of the inhabitants will assist us in 
forming some judgment thereof. Many of 
the Mosquito Indians live at least a hundred 
miles aback from the sea, up several of the 
rivers, and above two hundred miles up the 
river at Cape Gracias a Dios. The British 
have lived several miles up Roman river ; 
above a hundred up Black river; about a 
hundred up Cape Gracias a Dios river; 
seventy-five up Blewfield's river ; and several 
up Punta Gorda river, and this without the 
least molestation : for between all these and 
the Spaniards (who live at more than double 
the distance) there is much uninhabited land, 
and several tribes of friendly Indians who 
are in alliance with the Mosquitoes. But, 
till the inland country is fully known, no 
bounds can properly be fixed, but by imagin- 
ary lines of certain bearings, latitudes and 
longitudes, though indeed, near Cape Hon- 
duras, there is a river and a lagoon that go 
some way up the country, along which might 
be part of the western limit, and the north 
side of the lake of Nicaragua might be the 
southern one ; but these two limits should 



I 



14 



not meet, because they would include some 
of the Spanish Indian settlements, and go 
beyond a chain of mountains, which, I be- 
lieve would be found a natural south-west 
boundary, as I am informed they divide the 
continent in that direction ; though, as it 
might be a century or two before the British 
subjects and the Spaniards met, what each 
might then possess would perhaps settle the 
boundaries in an eligible manner. 

The British settlers are decreasing fast ; 
for the old standers, loath to leave so fine a 
country, concerning which they had indulged 
the most flattering hopes, are at length dying 
off, while the total neglect of encouragement 
prevents the arrival of any new comers. 
The settlers are mostly traders with their 
dependants and servants, and live scattered, 
as chance, inclination, or private interest 
directs. Their number, as called over and 
counted, is as follows, (exclusive of the 
military,) 



15 



Ci 









^3 
o 

n 

>-i 
CO 












S ft 



^ 



o 
a 



ri O 

o 

C3 



p 



ft> 
p p 

W3 

«t> P 

p 

§ 









o 






)^ : 



o • 



K) 



trf^ : I— ' 



oot;c;H^|-^^oODt^^oo^o^-'OTai 



io oc o^ 



Oi fe^ OD : Or I—' 



^ to oo he^ »l^ ^o -^ 



OD OD 



<:O(gOt0DOT000D: ^>-^oo>^ 






o 

w 

CO 

o 

\> 

w 
o 

u 



Men. 



"Women. 



Children. 



Total. 



Men. 



t-J Or H-i HJ H-i HJ ^ 



Women. 



Childr 



Total. 




^& 



Oi 



GO Ci : OD^! ^D 



Or 



1^ •^^ 



OD 



^ o o 



OD GO 00 



OD ^ : : : oi 



oo 



to 



o. 



OD 



^ o 



GO 



Male. 



Female. 



Total. 






Male. 



Female. 



Total. 



"i a ^ 
# i^ «j 



PS 






OS 



CD 

O 
XJi 

§•* 



Or 
ft> 

CD 



> 

o 



to ^ ^ 

tDOi^OOr >-4i— 'tot— 'h^i— 'tOi-AtD 
Qt-^^tf^^OCDGOODOh^OOH^OO 



TOTAL. 



1— t 


to ^ OD 


1— I 


^ikf^a)O^tD0D>^K4ait-^t^t00D 




OOD<?tOODC^GOtO'<IO^OOOrOD^f^ 



Total of Souls 



16 



Great injustice is done to these people, 
when they are confounded with those of the 
Bay of Honduras, seeing they are very dif- 
ferent from them. Indeed, they are also 
without laws ; but, nevertheless, they live 
with admirable regularity : most of them 
have been sobered with misfortunes. The 
want of society has been ruinous to most of 
their views, and they are really an industrious 
set of people. The proportion of white chil- 
dren being so small, is to be imputed to most 
of the women having lived with so much 
freedom formerly. They live much after 
the European manner in all respects. The 
houses in general (no bricks having yet been 
made^) are of wooden frames, thatched, and 
the sides of lath and plaster, white-washed. 
But there are some which make a good 
appearance, built entirely of wood, two stories 
high. Black River, Mestizoe Creek and Cape 
River, being so near each other, may be 
reckoned one settlement, and is far more 

* Bricks are now made in large quantities, at a plaep distant 
about a mile and a half fiom the town of St. Joseph's. 

Editor. 



17 



considerable than any of tlie others. This 
is by no means owing to any excellence in 
the place itself, but to the logwood-cutters 
of the Bay of Honduras^ regarding it as the 
nearest retreat and place of security for them- 
selves and effects^ both on account of the 
friendship of the Indians, and of the bars of 
the riverSj which are hazardous to pass to 
those who are not Well acquainted with them : 
for to this place they retired w^hen they were 
^routed by the Spaniards, in 1730, and several 
of them, who were dissatisfied with their tur- 
bulent lifCj settled here. They did the same 
in 1754; and it was wholly owing to this 
shelter that they were not totally crushed, 
andj with them, our whole logwood-trade ; for 
where or how should an entire new set of 
these gentry spring up? They easily came' 
hither in their boats ; and when the Spa- 
niards, who hitherto have not been able to 
stay^ were returned home, most of them went 
back, built new huts, and fell to work again 
as usuaL 

In the year 1747? a lieutenent's command 
was sent to this part of the shore, and some- 
thing resembling a fort put together for its 

B 



IS 



protection ; and, in 1752, a company of his 
Majesty's troops were stationed here, with 
orders to defend it to the last extremity. 

In 1756, the governor of Jamaica having 
signified his desire to have a proper fortifi- 
cation built, it then appeared, that the set- 
tlers here could raise an hundred and fifty 
fighting men, and that L.5(X) Sterling and 
20 slaves would build a defensible place, 
something between a small fort and a block- 
house and two batteries, which, if defended 
as they might be, would withstand any at- 
tack that probably would be made on them ; 
but that a better place for security might 
have been chosen. 

The annual trade has, upon an average 
for several years, consisted of about the va- 
lue of L.4000 in various goods imported, and 
the exports and their values at market as 
follows : — 
120,000 lb. of sarsaparilla 

at 2s. per lb L,12,000 

200,000 feet of mahogany 

and other hard woods, at 

ed. per foot 5,000 

Carryforward L.17,000 



19 



Brought over, L. 17,000 

65OOO lb. of tortoise-shell, at 

10^, per lb 3,000 

125 mules, at L.20 each 2,500 

Some small quantities of 
money, brute silver, indi- 
go, cacao, hides, and tal- 
low, got from the Spa- 
niards, and other small 
articles, 2,500 



L.25,000 
But too much of this, for want of proper 
regulations, goes to Holland, either direct- 
ly, or by way of New York ; yet still the 
duty paid to the revenue, on one half only 
of two of these articles, is considerably more 
than the expense of this place to the govern- 
ment, viz. 
60,000 lb. sarsaparilla, at 

7f duty Ll,937 10 

3,000 U), of tortoise-shell, 

at Is 150 



L.2,087 10 
B ^ 



20 



The settlers own twelve merchant vessels, 
three of which go annually to Europe ; the 
others are continually going to New York, 
or Jamaica, but some go first to the Bay of 
Honduras, to make out their ladings with 
logwood* 

The voyage from thence to Europe or 
North America, is as short as from Jamaica^ 
and the return about three days longer ; and 
both, in war time, are safer, as there is no 
occasion to run down along any of the West 
Indian Islands. 

The voyage to Jamaica depends greatly 
on the time of the year : with, or rather 
against the trade wind, it is usually sixteen 
days from Cape Gracias a Dios, 30 from Cape 
Honduras^ and £0 from Nicaragua ; but with 
north or westerly Winds, it is not half that 
time* From Jamaica to any part of the 
shore, is about 5 days ; but the only occa- 
sion there ought to be for its correspondence 
with that island, should be the supplying it 
with mules.* 

* Notwithstanding that the parts of the West Indian Islands 
are now open to the Americans, there can be little doubt that the 



21 



This little colony would, even in its pre- 
sent circumstances, considerably increase its 
trade, both in the quantity and number of ar- 
ticles, upon the least encouragement; but, 
for want of that, the settlers are not suffici- 
ently prospective in their views; entirely 
neglect cultivation, except for necessary pro- 
visions, and depend upon what nature pre* 
sents for traffic, 

The face of the country is various : the sea. 
coast from Cape Camaron to Blewfields, i§ 
low and level ; but the land rises gradually 
up any of the large fair rivers with which it 
abounds, and whose regular flowery bcinks 
form beautiful avenues, and about twenty 
miles up is high enough for any purpose. 
But the low land is full of swamps. Near 
the coast are several large lagoons, whose 
length, for the most part, is parallel thereto, 



inhabitants of Poyais, from their proximity to Jamaica, and the 
cheapness of labour, will soon be enabled to undersell the Ameri-r 
cans, and, in a short time, to export corn an^ lumber in sufficient 
quantities to supply the whole of the British settlements in the 
West Indies. Editor. 



22 



and are so joined to each other by narrow 
necks of water that half this distance may be 
gone inland upon smooth water : in the flood 
times, this may be called a range of islands, 
lying close in with the main, but the land 
is not much overflowed. 

To the westward and southward of the 
above capes, the land is high almost to the 
sea-side, the hills rising gently like the swell 
of the sea. 

The greatest part of the higher land is 
covered with large woods ; but the low land 
consists chiefly of large level lawns, or savan- 
nahs as they are there called, with scarce a 
tree, and some of them very extensive. 

The whole country is remarkably well 
watered by many fine rivers, which have a 
long course ; by innumerable smaller ones, 
and by creeks and lagoons : but all the rivers 
have the inconvenience of shoal bars at their 
mouths. 

The soil of the high woody land is the 
best, and is every where excellent ; being 
either a deep black mould, or rich brick clay, 
What low woody land is interspersed among 



23 



the lawns is not so good ; but the inhabitants, 
who hitherto have chosen it for their plant- 
ations, have found that it will produce what 
they want very well. The s^^vannah lands are 
the worst ; the soil is light sand mixed with 
some rich mould, but might be greatly im- 
proved and made very useful. At present 
they are used for pasturage. The swamps or 
marshes are very rich soil, and if the wood 
which grows in tl^epi were cut down, they 
would either dry up, or, with a little more 
pains, might be drained. 

The natural uncultivated produce (and 
indeed there is little other) is, of course, pro- 
duced by nature, under disadvantages which 
a little art would overcome ; the chief are as 
follows. 

Cacao grows all about the country, but too 
much scattered to be worth collecting for 
exportation. It is better than that of Car-, 
penter's River, 

Indigo does the same, and it is said to be 
the same kind with that which grows back- 
ward, in the province of Guatemala, which 
is esteemed the best in the world. 



24 



Cotton grows every where, in the worst land : 
the staple is remarkably good. There are 
three species of that kind which are manu^ 
factured ; one of which is of a light reddish 
brown, and looks as fine as silk, 

China-root^ Liquorice^ Anotta, Vanillas, and 
numberless sorts of Balsams and Gums (some 
of great fragrance and remarkable elasticity), 
Roots, Vines and Withes, which the Indians 
use for antidotes to poisons for wounds and 
diseases, Varnish and Dyes grow in abundance, 
and many of them undoubtedly are valuable ; 
and probably, amongst them, may be thq 
Balsam of Peru, Tolu, and Capivi, as they 
grow in the Spanish country aback ; but 
Sarsaparilla is the only drug that has hitherto 
been exported, owing chiefly to the want of 
knowledge in the settlers. 

Silk Grass (one of the many species of 
aloe here,) is very useful on account of the 
fine strong fibres of its leaves, from which 
they are easily stript, and these are about 8 
feet long. This grass makes all sorts of linesj, 
from sewing thread to a cable, and is iiiferior 
to silk only* 



25 



Great quantities of many kinds of Hard-> 
wood Thnbe?' grow all over the country, par- 
ticularly near the sides of the water : some 
have only Indian names, but those commoiily 
used are as follows : 

Mahogany, which is not reckoned so good 
as that of Jamaica ; the reason probably is, 
what is now got in that island grows in dry 
rocky ground, where it has been preserved 
to the last, by the difficulty of transporting it, 
and for want of soil is of a slow growth and 
close grain ; but here, it has been cut for 
convenience in low land near to the water 
side, from which situation its growth is quick 
and its grain open ; but some cut on the 
high land is as good as any, 

Cedar is a very good and serviceable wood, 
though not equal to that of Bermudas ; it 
makes good upper-works and planks for ves- 
sels, .^--being light and strong. 

Santa Maria is an excellent wood for 
standing weather in platforms, &c. &c. It 
makes very strong frames for vessels, and 
tolerable masts, though rather too heavy, 



26 



Pine Trees grow chiefly in woods by them- 
selves in the savannahs : they are of two 
sorts, one very full of tar and turpentine ; 
the other more free from it and whiter. 
They make good boards, planks, scantling 
and timbers ; but are two heavy for topmasts. 

The dry old trees are too hard for a com- 
mon axe ; they make excellent keels, sterns, 
sternposts, and garboard streaks for vessels, 
because the worms hardly touch them ; they 
have never been known to decay either above 
or under ground, and, in ships, will burn 
like a flambeau. 

Sapotas, Sapodilla, Bullet Tree, h^on Woody 
Dogwood Wood, Burton Wood, Mountain 
Guava, Locust, Tuberose and Ebo, are all fine 
large spreading trees, and the wood hard 
enough for mill-work. Several of them bear 
pleasant wholesome fruits ; they make ex- 
ceedingly good house timber, piles for wharfs, 
&C.5 and, for these purposes, it has been found 
worth while to send vessel loads to Jamaica, 

Mangrove is of three sorts, and very plen- 
tiful ; the red and black are very useful 
wood. 



27 



Cotton Trees^ (not that sort that is manu- 
facturedj) a light spongy wood, but so large 
as to make peruaguas and canoes, but not 
near so good as those made out of tuberose, 
cedar, or mahogany. 

Light Wood makes floats and tolerable 
corks. 

Pimento^ or All Spice trees grow in several 
places. 

Maho tree grows in the greatest plenty : 
the bark makes tolerably good rope and line 
for nets. 

Palm Tree. — There are several species of 
this tree, (more than twenty,) most of which 
are loaded twice or three times a year 
with nuts or berries that are extremely 
nourishing for men, swine or poultry ; or 
othewise useful for their oil, which they yield 
in large quantities ; the leaves make good 
thatch, and the trunks of some yield an 
intoxicating spirit: among these are the 
cocoa-7iut, mountain cabbage, and cohoni tree ; 
the last is very plentiful, and bears the best 
cabbage, or, young leaves folded close like 
the heart of it. 



28 



Bamboo Cane Trees grow very large and 
plenty, and are useful for many purposes. 

Bread Nut Trees^^-r-ihe nuts very whole^ 
some. 

Plantains (three sorts) and bananas grow 
very fine on the banks of most of the 
rivers, 

Scotch Grass, (a large tender flag,) very 
valuable for fattening horses and cattle, grows 
exceedingly plentiful at the sides of most of 
the rivers and creeks» 

Oranges, Lemons, Limes, Pine Apples, 
Penguins, Guavoes, (one sort peculiar,) Pua-- 
puas, Avocate Pears, Sour Sops, Grandillas^ 
Musk and Water Melons, and every other 
fruit that is commonly known in the West 
Indies, though some, being exotics, are as 
yet scarce, but all are in great perfection. 

A great number of useful trees, shrubsj^ 
bushes, reeds, &c, must be left unnoticed for 
want of names, a description of them being 
beyond the intention of this account. 

What might be the produce is a question 
very interesting to the commerce of Great 
Britaip, aiid shall be reserved for future 



S9 



consideration ; the following is only intended 
as a sketch of an answer thereto. 

By a fair computation, there are above 
thirty millions of acres of thi^ iiiie country^ 
which, considering the goodness and variety 
of the soils, and the experience had of the 
thriving of such things as have hitherto beeil 
tried or noticed, it is nioi*e than probable 
would pi*oduce most articles that grow be- 
tween the tropics iii perfection, and is suffi- 
cient to supply ail the markets in Europe 
with West India commodities at a very mode- 
irate rate ; most of the following it is parti- 
cularly well adapted to. 

/Jw^ar, of which the little that is planted 
grows remarkably well in this country, which 
is much better adapted for it than any of 
the islands, on account of the great conven- 
iency pf some streams of water for works and 
for carriage; its not being subject to severe 
droughts, nnd being free from hurricanes. 
These great advantages have been no recom- 
tnendation to the proud possessors of the old 
ones ; and, therefore^ they are far from being 
desirous of having it properly known. Of 



so 



how much weight their good wishes to it 
ought to be, will admit of a very plain 
answer. 

Cacao is here in its own country, and wild 
as it is, there is little better ; with cultivation 
(which is very easy,) it would perhaps be the 
best in the world* 

Indigo : the same may be said of it as of 
cacao ; it grows chiefly on the worst lands. 

Cotton flourishes spontaneously on the worst 
lands : there are three sorts ; but the staple 
of all is remarkably fine and long. 

Logwood. — There are marshy grounds 
enough, of the same nature with those in the 
Bay of Honduras, to produce more than a 
sufficiency for our own consumption ; any 
quantity of the seed might easily be procured, 
and in less than fifteen years, the wood from 
it would be full grown and fit to cut. 

Pimento is a native, and grows good. 

Ginger diaA Co^^.— The small quantities 
that have been tried thrive well. 

The Balsams, Gums, Roots, and Vines, have 
been hinted at before ; they are an extensive 
field for enquiry, and would amply reward 



31 



the industrious : for, in^^all probability, seve- 
ral very important and valuable articles for 
dyes, drugs, &c. would be discovered ; and if 
those which grow in the country round about 
(if not here already) were introduced, this 
branch would deserve very particular consi- 
deration. 

Of the Bread kind, the present inhabitants 
have the greatest plenty of plantains, maize, 
yams, casava (not poisonous), cocos, or eddoes^ 
and potatoes (like Jerusalem artichokes), and 
all these nourishing, agreeable, and cultivated 
with very little trouble. Rice has been tried 
and grows well on the low land, that is 
sometimes overflowed. Good wheat grows 
among the Spaniards. European sallads and 
pot-herbs grow well. 

Tobacco grows remarkably pungent, and 
would be worth cultivating, as it seems to be 
of a particular sort. 

Cattle and Mules might be bred very cheap 
in the savannahs, which, with proper treat- 
ment, would make fine pasture. With the 
latter of these, the wants of Jamaica might 
be supplied from hence. 



32 



The means of diffusing its riches could 
iiot be wanting, as ship-building would have 
the great advantage of such plenty of strongj 
durable timber, so well adapted to general 
pui'poses ; vessels built here having proved 
in experience far superior to those of North 
America. 

And for the avaricious, laziy, and luxurious^ 
who cannot be satisfied with such riches as 
iare the reward of laudable industry, there 
IS too much reason to think there are valua- 
ble Mines, among the hills, both from the 
nature of the springs and the earths. ^ In 
the Spanish neighbourhood there are several, 
and some gold dust has actually been brought 
down Black river, but the Indians would not 
tell from what place. 

The great consumption there would be 
of British manufactures, for which would be 
returned several Valuable articles for which, 
at present, we pay highly to foreigners, and 
several others which we must want, the 

* Gold mlnesj and thtjse very rich, have beeil discovered here, 
particularly one at Albrapoyer, which Captain Wright thinks might 
be worked to great advantage. 



S3 



great increase thereby to the revenue, &c. &c, 
shall be considered elsewhere, as shall the 
future prospect of other great and more ex- 
tensive consequences from settling here, and 
some thoughts on the method of introducing 
settlers, enforcing proper regulations, means 
of protection, &c. in order to make it soon a 
flourishing colony, which might be done 
with a small proportion of trouble and ex- 
pense to that required for a similar purpose 
in ant/ part of North America. 

The kinds of animals and their species seem 
numberless : many are useful, some curious, 
and but a few mischievous : a description of 
them would be voluminous, but the princi- 
pal or most useful are as follows : — 

Fish, which are in great plenty in the seas, 
lagoons, and rivers ; some are very large and 
fine, but all are good of their kind, and easily 
caught : the most common are Sheep's heads, 
Calapavers, Mullets, Jew-fish, Stone, Bass, 
Drummers, Snappers, Snooks, Cavallees, Tro- 
pons, Baracootas, Sim-fish, and Rays; and 
in the sea are some Sharks, but not very vo- 
racious; the Shell-vish, Cray-fish, (one sort 



34 



being of the size of a large lobster,) sea and 
land Crabsj Cockles, Prawns, and, in many 
places, inexhaustible banks of good Oysters : 
there is likewise plenty of the remarkable 
fish, called Manatti, which is very fine eat- 
ing ; a shell' fish that dyes an unfadipg 
purple. 

The Turtle, which abound here in the 
greatest perfection, deserve particular notice, 
as the procuring with ease great plenty of 
so agreeable and wholesome a food, must be 
highly beneficial to the settlers. Green- 
Turtle (the most esteemed) are plenty all 
the year at the keys ; but the best time 
for catching them is from the latter end of 
March to the middle of June ; for then they 
pass in large shoals from the Bay of Hon- 
duras close along the shore towards Cape 
Blanco ; the females, in order to lay their 
eggs, (though many do it by the way,) and 
tlie males for company, JQuring this sea- 
son, three men and a boy, with two nets and 
a lance, may expect to catch from eighty to 
a hundred and thirty, each weighing about 
150 lb, of meat, exclusive of shell, &c. They 



35 



will keep for above two months in a crawl 
made with stakes in the water, and about 
half as long out of water. The flesh, after 
being a year in salt^ is good aad wholesome ; 
and sells in Jamaica at the price of salt beef. 
Th^y keep returning ^ back the same way 
they went, from the middle of August to 
the latter end of September, when they are 
near as plenty as before, but not so fatj 
thou still very good. Such an advantage as 
this is equalled in no other colony. There 
are three species of turtle, viz. Hawkesbill, 
Loggerhead, and Green, the half grown 
of the first and their eggs (for which they 
chose this shore,) are tolerable eating, but 
they are particularly valued for their (tor- 
toise) shell, which is generally got oif by 
heating the concave of the catapatch^ till the 
(fifteen) scales, which weigh about two 
pounds, start : the eggs of the second are 
good, and the shell of some little value, but 
the third is good for nothing 

At the keys there are Seals, from which 
oil is made. 



36 



Alligators are rather too numerous, but 
not dangerous ; for, as they may be smelt at 
a good distance, if they do not run away, 
(which they generally do,) they are easily 
avoided or killed ; and as they have the true 
musk smell in a very high degree, that com- 
modity might perhaps be extracted from them. 

Of their quadrupeds^ the game merits the 
preference ; it is plentiful in the woods, and 
the kinds are as follows : — 

Warree, a species of hog; the difference 
is, they have longer hair, their snout and feet 
less, their neck thicker, no tail, and they 
have a secret gland upon their back which 
looks like a navel, smells like rank goose 
grease, and if not cut out soon after they are 
killed, scents the whole carcase ; but if this 
be properly done, the meat is finer than pork, 

Pecarry is a smaller sort of the above ; they 
both go in herds ; and if any one is attacked, 
all the rest make a common cause of it : they 
easily become as domestic as swine. 

Deer. — They are but small, and have little 
feet, but the flesh is white, tender, and well 
tasted. 



37 



Indian Conies andGibeonites are bigger than 
a hare, and better eating ; the latter especi- 
ally : the former easily become domestic. 

Armadillos, and great plenty of Hicattee 
or Land Tortoise, are all good eating, one 
sort of the latter especially. 

Iguanas are of two sorts, and very good 
eating, but their figure is very ugly. 

Monkeys of several sorts are very plenti- 
ful ; they live, on the best fruits, and those 
who can eat them, are very fond of them ; 
but when their hair is off, their appearance 
is shocking. 

The Mountain Cow is tolerable good food, 
but not very plentiful. 

The chief of the other native quadrupeds 
are Leopards, Tygers, and Tyger-Cats ; all 
small of their sorts and afraid of men, though 
they will sometimes venture on small cattle 
and deer, but they keep aloof from any set- 
tlements. Some of the leopards are black, 
and though they have the same spots as the 
others, yet they are only to be seen in a cer- 
tain light by the black being more shining. 

Racoons, Squashes, Night-walkers, Water- 
doss, Ant' Bears, Sloths, Opossums, (with the 



38 



bag for their young), and Squirrels^ are like- 
wise here. 

The Birds which are commonest, are Cu- 
rassows, and in great plenty, as large as a 
Turkey-cock, and as good eating. 

Quams, like a turkey-hen in size and taste. 

Duck and Teal are very plentiful in the 
winter months, and as good as any where. 

Partridges^ three sorts, are extraordinarily 
fine. 

Pigeons, seyevdl sorts, all very good. 

Macaws, Parrots, and Parroquets, various 
sorts of each, but indifferent eating ; yet they 
make good soup. 

Curlews and Snipes, pretty good eating. 

Carrion-Crows, a species of the vulture. 

Hawks, several sorts, one that catches fish, 
arid another just like a sparrow-hawk, about 
the size of a bia^k-bird, and flies only in the 
evening. 

Toucans, three sorts, Bats, Humming 
Bird^, and a great variety of small birds, 
some of which sing sweetly. 

Towards the sea-coast are Pelicans, Herons, 
three sorts ; Flamingoes, Man of War, Boobies, 
Noddies, Gidls, and Egg birds. 



89 



This country, like all others in warm 
climates, is troubled with vermin ; but not 
so much as is reported of other parts of the 
West Indies. 

Snakes are rather plentiful, and some sorts 
are poisonous ; but they seldom bite, and 
when they do, it is soon cured. Some are 
credibly said to have two heads ; but that 
is not vouched here. 

Scorpions and Centipedes, the stings of 
which children bear without crying. Li- 
zardsy several sorts, all harmless and pretty. 
Frogs and Toads in the swamps, where, in 
the evenings of the wet season^ they niake a 
noise resembling geese, and are generally ac- 
companied by every other note of cheerful- 
ness by all the various birds and insects in 
the country, who seem to be returning thanks 
in concert. Chiggers, Weavles, and Ticks, 
mischievous insects, if suffered by excess of 
laziness, but otherwise not so ; many species 
of Ants seem to indicate this a country for 
the industrious. Mosquitos (or Gnats), and 
Sandflies are, in general, scarce, large tracts 
being without either. Many other species 



40 



of flies, among which is the Fire -fly ^ and 
what is taken for the Cantharides, It must 
be noticed, that vermin seldom or never fre- 
quent the habitations. 

The present inhabitants have plenty of 
Horses^ Horned Cattle, Hogs, Sheep, Goats, 
Turkeys, Tame Ducks, Dunghill Fowls, Cats, 
and Dogs, and they all thrive well. Beef 
and Pork will take salt in the winter months, 
and are very fine ; and at that time Butter 
may be made. 

There is great plenty of extraordinarily 
fine Honey, and the bees (which have no 
perceptible sting,) will take to hives ; their 
wax is black. 

The Climate is very sensibly cooler than 
that of Jamaica, and very healthy, on which 
account people from that island sometimes 
come hither. Indeed, the disorders in both 
are of the same nature ; but here they are 
not near so frequent or violent as in that 
island. During the north winds, the season 
may, with propriety, be called Winter. A 
visible proof of the healthiness of this place, 



41 



is the fresh, hale countenance of all its inha- 
bitants. 

The wind most common is the sea-breeze 
or trade-wind ; it blows fresh in June and 
July, but very moderate in April, May, Au- 
gust, and September, particularly in April, 
and from the middle of August to the latter 
part of September ; but from that time to 
the end of October, a westerly wind prevails 
along the coast to the westward of Cape 
Gracias a Dios, and a southerly one along 
the coast to the southward of it ; after which 
to the end of February, at the full and 
change of the moon, strong north winds may 
be expected, (the hardest wind here,) veering 
about from west or east (though commonly 
the former, as during all the time the sea- 
breeze blows but little), and continuing about 
a week, yet is scarce ever so violent as to 
prevent vessels from beating to windward, 
and, if they choose it, getting in to Bonaca. 
But as the hardest gales are always about 
two points westward of due north, they are 
certain of commanding the fine harbour at 
Cape Gracias a Dios, though they generally 



42 



ride it quite out on the eastern shore, which 
lies nearly north and south. The hardest 
winds blow partly overland, and are thereby 
moderated, but they make a strong southerly 
current every night except during the norths. 
The land-wind blows about seven leagues 
off to sea (though sometimes very weak), 
and is a great advantage to vessels going 
along shore to the eastward ; neither is it so 
unhealthy as in other places* 

The month of March is very uncertain. 
The seasons are much the same as in other 
parts of the continents In the rainy seasons 
scarce a day passes without a heavy shower : 
the first commonly begins in June^ and lasts 
about six weeks, in which time the rivers rise 
considerably and are very rapid, but do not 
overflow much of the land. The second be- 
gins about the middle of October, and lasts 
about two months; When they are over,' 
the vegfetation is surprisingly quicksand there 
is the farther advantage of frequent, interme- 
diate, gentle showers. 

The harbours aii this coast do not answer 
the occasions there would be for them ; how- 



4g 



ever, there is nbt great cause of complaint ; 
and what there is might be easily remedied. 
There are two good ones. The principal 
oiie is (nearly in the centre of the coast) at 
Cape Gracias*a Dios, quite secure from bad 
Weather, and so spacious, that a thousand 
vessels might anchor in it, in good holdirig 
ground, from three to five fathoms water. 
Indeed they could not, without some diffi- 
culty and expense, be well defended from 
the eftemy 5 but those vessels which could 
lighten so as to draw only ten feet water^ 
might go over the smoth bar of Wank's River^ 
where there would be a greater depth, if 
the river was reduced t0 one outlet, which 
is very practicable, and afterwards proceed 
up into the heart of the country. A plan of 
this harbour is unfortunately lost. The other 
harbour is at Blewfields. It is secure from 
the weather, and might easily be made a 
strong place ; but as it was carefully surveyed 
and the draught annexed, that is referred to 
for particulars.^ 

* A plan of this harbour may be seen in the collection of the 
principal ports j bays, roads, and Harbours, in the West Indies^ 
published by Laurie and Whittle, in 1816. Editor. 



44 



There are several places where small ves- 
sels, or any other which could be sufficiently 
lightened, might harbour ; as, when they are 
once over the bars, the rivers are consider- 
ably deeper, and they might go far up the 
country. On the bar of Brewer's lagoon 
is seven feet water ; often more on that of 
Black River ^ ; on those of Caratasca and 
Warina sound nine feet, and on those of 
Great River and Pearl Key (lagoon's mouth) 
eight feet, and there are also some harbours 
among the Pearl Keys, Mosquito Keys, and 
at the Corn Islands. 

But vessels of the size of the small sugar 
drogers which are used in Jamaica, could go 
over the bars of most of the rivers up into 
the country for their lading, and then trans- 
port it to the large ships with much more 
ease than is done in that island. 

When there is no danger of an enemy^ 
and the norths do not blow, vessels can ride 
any where off the coast, particularly in some 

* A proposal and plan have been approved of for cutting away 
the bar of this harbour, which, if successful, and of which I under- 
stand there is no doubt entertained, will render it one of the finest 
in America. Editor. 



45 



of the bays, in what depth of water they 
choose; for the ground is good, and the 
soundings remarkably gradual. 

The natives, or Mosquito people, are of 
two breeds; one are the original Indian ; the 
other (who are called the Samboes), a mix- 
ture of these with negroes, occasioned, so far 
as can be learned, by two Dutch ships full 
of them being cast away some years ago to 
the southward of Nicaragua, from whence 
the negroes travelled to the Mosquito coun- 
try, where, after several battles, they had 
wives and ground given them ; since which 
their posterity are become as numerous as 
the others, and there is now no distinction 
either in their rights or customs. 

Both the Indian and Samboe men are well 
made, strong, and rather tall: the former 
have the colour of Dutch copper, with long 
straight hair. The Samboes are of all shades 
between the Indian and the black, and their 
hair in proportion partakes of the wool. The 
features of the whole nation are rather agree- 
able ; their foreheads are high, their noses 



46 



inclining to the aquiline, their teeth good, 
and their eyes and their hair black. 

They have a kind of priests called Sookiei^, 
who have some little influence over them, 
but are indeed consulted chiefly as fortuncr 
tellers. They pretend to deal with an evil 
spirit called Woolesaw, who, if he is too much 
neglected, does mischief, but never any good; 
jand they hold that their Creator does not 
concern himself about them, except that he 
places them in countries good for hunting 
in proportion to their merits. These Sookies 
are likewise their doctors, and understand 
something of healing wounds ; but their 
practice in medicine extends little farther 
than low living and sweating, which, how? 
ever, generally have the desired effect on the 
clear constitutions of their patients. 

Though they are to all intents and pur- 
poses one people, yet they are not so prp- 
perly a single state, as three united, each of 
which is nearly independent of the others. 
The first inhabit from the southern extre- 
mity till about BragmanSj and ^re mostly the 



47 



original Indians ; their head man they call 
governor. 

The next extend to about Little Black 
River, and are mostly Samboes ; their chief 
is called king. 

The last is to the westward, and consists 
of Indians and Samboes mixed ; their head 
man is called general. 

The power of these three principal men 
(which is hereditary) is nearly equal ; a 
small difference only being in favour of the 
king, who is a little supported by the whites 
for the sake of his name, but none of these 
chiefs have much more than a negative voice; 
and never attempt any thing without a couur 
cil of such old men as have influence among 
those of their countrymen who live around 
them. When any thing of importance is to 
be done, the people of consequence meet, 
aiid ^rgue, each as he pleases, but are seldom 
unaniixxQUS, except when they think their 
couiitry is immediately concerned. The 
king has his commission or patent for being 
cdled so from the governor of Jamaica, and 



48 



all the other chief people have commissions 
(admirals and captains) from his Majesty's 
superintendant ; and^ upon the strength of 
these, always assume much more authority than 
they could without them. However, it is at 
best such that it may be more properly said 
that their directions are followed, than that 
their orders are obeyed ; for even the young 
men are above serving the king, and will 
tell him they are as free as himself ; so that 
if he had not a few slaves of other Indians, 
he would be obliged to do all his own work. 
They live too much in a state of uncontroll- 
ed nature for their union to be much influ- 
enced by any other consideration than the 
general safety, which not being apparently 
dependant on the immediate good of indivi- 
duals, they regard private injustice too much 
as a debt which may be measured by what 
to the injured seems an equivalent; and 
therefore public justice seldom interferes 
except in cases of murder (which are not 
numerous) ; and even then, if the criminal 
can compound the matter with the nearest 



49 



relations, he generally escapes death, which 
would otherwise be the consequence. 

If it be considered what a quantity of 
ground the hunter must use for his subsis- 
tence, a reason why those countries where 
animals are not bred for food, are so thinly 
inhabited, will be obvious. Hence the num- 
ber of Mosquito people in their present way 
of life probably never exceeded ten or eleven 
thousand; but about thirty years ago, in a 
very successful expedition against the Spa- 
nish settlements at Bacalar in the bay of 
Honduras, some of them caught the small- 
pox, and spreading it all over the country 
at their return, it proved fatal to more than 
half of the nation, from their total ignorance 
of the proper treatment of it. This stroke 
they have not recovered ; for, from the best 
computation, they are not above seven thou- 
sand souls, of which there are at least fifteen 
hundred men able to bear arms, who not 
only well know the use of them, but would 
use them well, and may be depended upon. 

Their way of life is too little within the 
bonds of society for acting from principle 
to be sufficiently encouraged among them- 

D 



50 



selves, and the white people have hitherto 
only made tools of those who do act so: 
therefore, in order to describe their disposi- 
tion, enquiry should be made which way it 
naturally inclines, instead of drawing too 
hasty a conclusion from what it produces. 

They have few wants ; are satisfied with 
little, and that easily procurable ; therefore, 
they do not find it necessary to be indus- 
trious ; yet, at a pinch, no people can or do 
exert themselves more. 

Each of them is capable of doing his own 
business, and, as they are all nearly upon 
an equality, occasion of conferring or receiv- 
ing a benefit seldom occurs ; and those they 
receive from the whites they plainly discern 
to be interested: this may partly account 
for the ingratitude they sometimes are ap- 
parently guilty of. They are somewhat too 
vindictive ; which, when not carried to ex- 
cess, is, notwithstanding its evil tendencies, 
attended with its good uses, in keeping their 
community in order, as justice for offences 
which are not capital, is neither sold nor 
often distributed, as with us. 



51 



They have given sufficient proof of bra- 
very by their many expeditions against the 
Spaniards in the Bay of Honduras, Carpen- 
ter's River, Coclee, across the Continent, &c. 
and in which they have seldom failed of suc- 
cess. About the year 1709, the Spaniards, 
for the first and last time, attempted to 
return their visits, with a tolerable arma- 
ment ; but an inferior number of these brave, 
unconquered Indians, lay in their canoes 
concealed in the river till they could cut 
them off from the shore, and then attacking 
them fairly on the open sea, destroyed all 
of them but one man, whom they allowed 
to go back with such news as cured the 
Spaniards of invasions. 

They have good capacities ; are very de- 
sirous of information ; are ingenious in learn- 
ing any mechanic art ; and set about what 
they undertake with a good will, which is 
unknown to any of those Indians who are in 
an abject state of submission to their fellow 
creatures. 

They are hospitable to each other; but 
enemies to all other people except the British ; 



52 



to them they are so well inclined, as to be 
pleased with considering them as possessing 
an equal right to the country with them- 
selves. 

Their houses are well thatched, the roofs 
supported over about twenty feet square of 
ground by under roofs about six feet asunder 
and as many high ; their furniture does not 
merit a catalogue, and they laugh at the in- 
trinsic worth of any thing being compared 
to that of knives and hatchets, &c. Four or 
five of their houses are generally within call 
of each other ; and such little hamlets are 
scattered all over the country. They plant 
provisions in the obscurest parts of the woods, 
but never much together, that an enemy may 
find no store. The men clear the ground 
at first, and the women tend it afterwards : 
both sexes are tolerably modest ; and, alto- 
gether, they live in a passably quiet, decent 
way. Remains of some of the old Mexican 
customs may be observed amongst them; 
and several kinds of stone and earthen ves- 
sels, and utensils embossed with figures, are 
found in many parts of their country buried 



5S 



in heapSj (probably at first with other things 
that might have decayed), which seems to 
indicate their having been more civilized than 
at present ; but that to the sole resolution 
of defending their liberty (which they have 
truly done), they sacrificed every thing else. 
The chief arts now among them are, making 
very durable cotton cloth, and thread or twine 
of silk grass for nets, &c. hammocks, lances, 
harpoons, bows, arrows, and canoes of all 
sorts and sizes. Every one of them is a sai- 
lor, hunter, striker of fish, and an extraor- 
dinarily good swimmer ; yet those white 
men who have lived some time according to 
nature, and have arrived at the use of their 
limbs, by going without clothes, do not come 
behind them even in their own way. 

They are very fond of European commo- 
dities : in the choice of which, they are in- 
fluenced either by their real utility or gaudi- 
ness. Fire arms and edge tools they have 
now been so long used to, that they could 
not do without them. They take nothing 
else in payment for what they earn or sell ; 
money not being current among them. 



54 



The chief things they traffic with, are 
tortoise-shell, canoes in the rough, horses, 
horned-cattle, green turtle, turkies, fowls, 
and parrots ; and they hire themselves out to 
hunt, strike, or navigate small craft along 
the shore and over the bars of the rivers, 
which last requires great skill; and they 
are particularly dexterous thereat. But 
getting tortoise-shell is their grand employ- 
ment; from fifteen to twenty peruaguas, 
(large canoes) with about twelve men in 
each, are employed in this business from 
April to August. If they have formed any 
expedition, they chuse this time to execute 
it, and therefore set out and keep together 
till it is over ; otherwise they straggle from 
the first, and spread all the way from Blew- 
fields to Boca Del Drago. The produce of 
their labour usually amounts to near five 
thousand pounds of shell.^ 

* " The exports in 1769, are about 800,000 superficial feet of 
mahogany, 200,000 lb. sarsaparilla, and 10,000 lb, of tortoise- 
shell. There is also a small trade with the bordering Spaniards, 
and a few mules are occasionally sent to Jamaica." — Bryan Ed- 
wards' Account of the British Settlements on the Mosquito 
Shore. — Draijon up for the Use of Government, in 1773. 

Editor. 



55 



All of them talk a little English, (as they 
call it,) the chiefs especially ; but their own 
language is peculiar to themselves, as are 
some of their customs, none of which they 
are very superstitious about or bigotted to. 
Upon any other account they are not worth 
mentioning ; but, altogether, they are so 
much superior to the neighbouring Indians, 
that their calling them wild, is no great im- 
propriety in the comparison. 



THE END. 



Edinburgh : 

Printed by C. S. Lizars, 

11, Society. 



Just Ptiblished, 
A SKETCH 

OF THE 

INCLUDING THE 

TERRITORY OF POYAIS, 

Descriptive of the Country ; 

WITH SOMK INFORMATION AS TO 

Its Productions, the best Mode of Culture, &c. 

Chiejly intended for the Use of Settlers, 

BY THOMAS STRANGE WAYS, K.G.C. 

Capt. 1st Native Poyer Regiment, and Aid-de-Gamp to 

His Highness Gregor, 

Cazique of Poyais. 



This Publication forms a handsome octavo volume, containing about 400 pages, 
neatly printed on fine demy, with a Portrait of his Highness the Cazique— a 
Map of the Country, and neighbouring Provinces— a View of the Coast of 
the Territory of Poyais— and a view of the Port of Black River. 



MEMOIR 



OF THE 



MOSQUITO TERRITORY, 

AS RESPECTING 

THE VOLUNTARY CESSION OF IT 

TO THE - 

<fftotott of OS teat 25ritaui : 

POINTING OUT 

SOME, OF THE MANY, ADVANTAGES 

TO BE DERIVED FROM ' 

THE OCCUPATION OF THAT COUNTRY; 

More especially, 

AFTER OUH ILL SUCCESS AT BUENOS-AYRES, 

AS SET FORTH IN A MEMOPaAL 

PRESENTED TO 

THE RIGHT HONOURABLE LORD CASTLEREAGH, 

Secretary of State for the Colonies^ ^c. fyc. 

By JOHN WRIGHT, Esa. 

LATE COMMANDER OF H.M. S. SWIFT, AND SENIOR OFFICER OF HIS 
MAJESTY'S NAVAL FORCES AT HONDURAS AND 

ON thl: mosquito shore. 



lonoont 



PRINTED FOR J. HATCHARD, 

lOOKSlLLlR TO HER MAJESTY, OPPOSITE ALBANY, 

PICCADILLY, 



1808. ' TK, . ,, 



Printed by Brettell and Co, 
Marshail-Street, Golden'Square„ 



MEMOIR 



OF THE 



MOSQUITO TERRITORY. 



1 HAVE taken the honour of submitting 
to the consideration and perusal of his 
Majesty's Ministers, the result of much 
laborious, expensive, unwearied, and ex- 
tensive researches, that my professional 
pursuits enabled me to make, in a country 
bordering on the vast territories of the 
Spanish monarchy in South America ; 
shewing the progress I had made in se- 
curing the affection of the inhabitants of, 
the whole Mosquito shore, and with what 
facility we might take possession of itj 
with the approbation and free consent of 
the aborigines ; as will be illustrated by a 
perusal of the following Memoir which I 



am induced now to present to the public, 
who will be able to judge, and contrast my 
proposals with the termination of the dis- 
astrous result of the Expedition to Buenos 
Ayres, which has most unfortunately ended 
in a total evacuation of that country. 
And as a secure footing on that continent 
is so desirable an object in every point of 
view, I will detail the particulars in nearly 
the same words, as those I delivered to the 
Secretary of State for the Colonies, last 
August : by doing so, I shall have the con- 
solation at least, of being chargeable of 
no neglect, either to my King, my Country, 
or myself ; as, on the contrary, I should be 
highly happy in being useful to all, by 
pointing out, in this instance, the advan- 
tages that are to be derived from an inter- 
course with that country. — I said to Lord 
Castlereagh, that, in the years 1805 and 
1806, having the command of his Majesty's 
Naval Forces at the Bay of Honduras, ex- 



7 

tending from the province of Yucatan, to 
the extent of the Mosquito territoryj I 
had man}' opportunities of remarking and 
reflecting on the importance of the latter 
country; in which, 1 was abl}" assisted bj a 
gentleman w^ho resided there for many 
years, when it was formerly in our posses- 
sion ; and who, for his general knowledge 
in men, manners, and things^ as well in a 
political, religious, and moral point of view, 
is outdone by no one in the settlement of 
Honduras. — In the many conversations 
with my friend, he requested me, in con- 
junction with many other, gentlemen, and 
two of the princes of the Mosquito shore, 
who were deputed to me by the king 
of. that country, whose crown is hereditary, 
to commit to writing my own observations 
and reflections, with their local knowledge 
of the importance and acquisition of that 
extensive territory, and traffic, which was 
solemnly tendered to me by the two pleni- 



8 



I, i 

I 



potentiaries, who were willing, in that capa- 
city, to swear fealty to the Crown of Great 
Britain ; offering lands and possessions to 
all that were reconimended by me, who 
chose to come and settle amongst them ; 
requiring in return from us, protection and 
friendship ; and on these conditions the 
two princes were christened and named, 
one after the military and the other after 
the naval o?)mmandants. I gave them 
assurances, that, on my return to England, 
I should not fail of laying their wishes and 
propositions before the King's Government 
and the Merchants of Great Britain ; when 
they departed to their own country, with 
some suitable presents, much gratified with 
the hope of having the English again 
amongst them. 

In commencing my Memoir, I am not 
fearful that my zeal for that unhappy and 
neglected country can carry me beyond 



the bounds of rigid truth, and moderation s 
as I am aware, that any description will fall 
very far short of the actual fact^ either as 
to the produce of the country, or of the 
good disposition and sincere affection of 
the inhabitants towards the British nation. 
I shall therefore begin by insisting, that 
Spain might suffer a mortal wound in her 
xlmerican interest, by a comparatively small 
force being stationed there ; nd had the 
Ministry considered that country in a com- 
mercial, or in a political point of view, it 
would by this time, and under the polishing 
hand of English protection, and fostering 
support, have shone out, one of the bright- 
est jewels in the British diadem. 

Extensive and comprehensive as this 
subject is, in all its relations, my wishes and 
abilities must confine me, barely, to an 
imperfect sketch ; I shall lightly touch the 
outlines, leaving it to the more fertile ima« 



10 

gination of my readers, to give the just, and 
finishing colouring ; assuring them, the only 
diflSculty I have at present to encounter, 
is to comprise it in boundaries, so as not to 
become tiresome ; nor would I wish to omit 
any thing that ought to be asserted, and 
made known on this important occasion : I 
shall therefore, from the multiplicity of 
ideas, necessarily connected with a thorough 
knowledge of the country, choose those 
only, that appear most striking ; and this of 
itself presents a difficulty : I shall there- 
fore, out of those, again, confine' myself to 
its situation, extent, its inhabitants, com- 
mercial and political interest, and, from 
that interest, its importance to Great Bri- 
tain. 

The Mosquito shore extends from the 
Point of Castile, or Cape Honduras, being 
the South point [of Truxillo Bay, to the 
Northern branch of the river Nicaragua, 



11 

called Saint Juans, on the southward, being 
18^ leagues of shore. A chain of loftj 
montains ru n diagonally From Point Cas- 
tile to Saint Juans, and serves as a strong 
barrier between the Spanish and Mosquito 
territories : the area of the latter, which is 
one third larger than the kingdom of Portu- 
gal, forms an irregular triangle, of which 
Cape Gracias a Dios, makes the ape-x. 

No country enjoys more advantages from 
water-carriage; for, besides nineteen rivers, 
which are navigable for small craft up to 
the very interior, a chain of Lagoons line 
the coast, accessible at the mouths of the 
different rivers. The climate is mild for 
those latitudes, and, being continental, not 
nearly so hot as the islands in the same 
parallel. The soil is so rich, that, until 
three or four seasons of Rattoon canes 
has in some degree impoverished the land, 
no sugar can be produced; the first 



12 

growths rising to the great height of sixteen 
to eighteen feet, and of several inches 
diameter; which naturally impoverishes the 
saccharine juices. This fact must suffi- 
ciently tend to shew the great fertility of 
the soil in producing maize, Indian corn, 
cotton, cofl^ee, and provisions of all kinds, 
exceeding by far any thing known in the 
West-India islands. 

Endless tracts of pine ridges interspersed 
all over the country, would supply an inex- 
haustible fund of tar and turpentine; the 
trees being so redundant with these li- 
quors, that, when put into the deepest 
rivers, they instantly sink : and it would ap- 
pear to me, from this circumstance alone, 
considered in a national point of view, as 
respects the present (and probably future) 
state of convulsed Europe, that it ought to 
secure to the resources of this country, a 
very large supply of those articles on which 



IS 

we principally depend for our Naval supe^ 
riority ; and for the attainment of those de» 
sirable objects of supply, we are, at this 
moment in a great measure dependent ; 
being under the mortifying necessity of re- 
lying on the precarious change of political 
arrangements for the North of Europe, in- 
dependent of the fact of draining from this 
country a large portion of its wealth and 
commodities, that might flow into other 
channels, and be appropriated to other 
purposes, could we be enabled to furnish 
ourselves with those rough materials of na- 
tional bulwark, that might so readily be 
obtained, by forming a colony in this 
country, whose forests abound with the 
finest spars for masts, perhaps in the world, 
and with a peculiar non-descript wood 
(named Somewood) fit for many purposes of 
ship building; the valuable properties of 
it are, to be impregnable to the worm, and 
resist rust: this I had an opportunity of as- 



14 

certaining very fairly, by getting the car- 
penters of the Swift to build a boat of it 
for me, 28 feet length of keel ; that I used 
all the time I was in that country, and a 
twelvemonth after I returned to England, 
finding it fully to answer all the good qua- 
lities that were given of it. 

The savannahs, or plains, afford the 
richest pasturage, being capable of any 
sort of cultivation ; the rivers, and sea-coast 
are exceeded by no country for the great 
abundance of all sorts offish, that are caught 
with the greatest facility ; and many of the 
rivers, by washing the sand in fine sieves, 
furnish the "native globules of pure gold. 
Gold mines, and those very rich, have 
been here discovered : I shall particularly 
mention one at Albrapoyer, which might 
have turned out to infinite advantage to 
those concerned, had honesty in the con- 
ducting of it been as proportionably at- 



15 ' 

tended to as the mine was rich. This mine, 
with several others, might, v/ith proper ma- 
nagement, bt3 again worked to great beoefit. 

The woods have an inexhaustible variety, 
and great quantities of game, and plenty 
of poultry is every wiiere to be found ; the 
former is delicious in its flavour, and the 
latter is easily to be found. Medicinal gums 
and drugs are plentifully dispersed all over 
the countrj^ ; there are the tono or elastic 
gum, gum-copal, balsam of capivi, sarsa- 
parilla of the finest quality, &c. &c. It 
abounds also with mahogany, cedar, zebra 
or palmeratta wood, with many others, 
useful for every purpose of husbandry, or 
erection of buildings, &c. 

There are also plenty of large and beau- 
tiful tigers, leopards, deers, antelopes, buf- 
faloes, mountain cows, otters, &c. &c., that 
may with ease be obtained ; and the coast 



16 

affords a superabundance of turtle from the 
middle of April to the end of September^ 
both by nets and on the beach, of the very 
best quality ; together with the hawk's-bill 
turtle, from whose back the tortoise-shell is 
obtained : in short, take the Mosquito shore 
in ail points of view, it surpasses every part 
of the West Indies, with iaumerable ad- 
vantages unknown to the Islands. 

Truxilla harbour, being the southern- 
most extreme of the Mosquito shore, is 
a noble large bay, where are the com- 
modious harbours of Little and Big Puerto 
N0VO5 and where large vessels may lie in 
perfect safety : this bay abounds with fish, 
game, wood, and water. Luke's Key (or 
island) lies at the entrance of Truxiilo 
Bay ; the Islandsof Bonacco, Helun, Morat, 
and Rattan, vdth Barbareuth, lie off it. 
Rattan and Bonacco, for the convenienpj/ 
of verv fine harbours, the goodness of the 



17 

soil, pureness of the air, the great quantity 
of fish and wild hogs, cocoa-nuts, fineness 
of water, and commanding ground, those 
islands are proverbially called in that coun- 
try, " the Garden of the West Indies,'' '' the 
Key to Spanish America, New Gibraltar,'' 
&c. ; and they of themselves, from their 
natural strength, might be made impreg- 
nable^ being tenable with a very small force. 

Cape Gracias a Dios is a noble exten- 
sive harbour, where CooiQiodore Parry an- 
chored in 1782, with his squadron, con- 
sisting of a fifty-gun ship and some heavy 
frigates : this bay is open to no winds but 
a south-east : the Cape Keys, off this place, 
abound with turtle all the year round : 
distant, about fifteen leagues, is Pearl Key 
Lagoon, which has small keys all round? 
and lying off it, which forms gpod ancho- 
rage. Blue-fields has a bar; at high water 
there is sixteen feet over it ; when inside, it 



18 

forms a noble bason of water^ capable of 
holding a thousand sail of shipping. It 
may be proper in this place to observe, 
that on account of the number of fresh- 
water rivers emptying themselves into the 
harbours on the Mosquito shore, . none 
but copper-bottomed vessels ought to be em- 
ployed in them, or indeed, even in navigat- 
ing those s^as, except they were to be sheath- 
ed with thenon-descript wood, I before no- 
ticed* There is aaother river, which lies 
under False Cape, northerly, called Crouch 
river, where there is from 9 to 11 feet of 
v/ater over its bar. The soundings all along 
the Mosquito shore, are very regular. You 
are to stand no nearer than five fathoms, 
nor more than ten to twelve off, from 
Potook to the Cape. Off False Cape, th^re 
is a dangerous shoal, called Cape Bank ; 
and there is a chain of reefs and keys, with 
passages between, towards the Cape ; th^- 
north extreme commences at Carratas€0 
reef, nearly abreast of Potook, which reef 



19 

makes, in the form of a half circle, towards 
the sea, having three keys a good distance 
further out. The best book of directions 
for Honduras bay, and the Mosquito shore, 
that I have seen, is EarFs ; and if there is 
no error in the publisher, is from his own 
actual observations, which, in most in* 
stances, I have found to be sufficiently 
correct. As Blue -field Bluff fully com- 
mands the entrance of that harbour, a small 
force stationed there, would keep off, effec- 
tually, a great and niuHerous enemy. This 
I have stated in the several conversations I 
have had on this subject^ with the King's 
Ministers ; and I have not failed, in pointing 
out on the map the vulnerable parts, stating 
my opinion of the force that vvould be ne- 
cessary to protect them when forts were 
erected. 

I come now to give some account of 
the inhabitants of this country, and their 
B 2 



20 

affection towards us. The pirates, who 
anciently infested, in a peculiar manner, 
the American seas, appear to have been 
the first of our countrymen who were 
acquainted with the Mosquito shore ; the 
difficulty, or rather impossibility, of large 
vessels pursuing them into the rivers, on 
account of the shifting bars, and some- 
times the shallowness of the w^ater, ren- 
dered them safe retreats ; at the same time, 
that the Lagoons, running from twenty, 
thirty, and fifty leagues, within-side the 
beach, afforded them proper harbours for 
the purposes of victualling and refitting: 
here arose the necessity of a friendly in- 
tercourse with the Indians, which in pro- 
cess of time extended to a commercial 
communication, productive of benefit to 
both parties ; hence originated amongst 
the natives, the first knowledge of arms. 
After the Buccaniers were extirpated from 
these parts, succeeded the unhappy En- 



2r 

glish sufferers, who escaped from Spanish 
cruelty in the bay of Cam peachy, seeking 
here an asylum ; and, as they fled from an 
enemy, to whom the Mosquito Indians 
have an unconquerable and hereditary 
hatred, added to their good opinion of 
the English, they were received as their 
brethren, lands assigned to them, and a 
Colony established. From this small Colony 
they took their first hints of establishing a 
police; and this aera marks the first dawn- 
ing of civilization. The warmest friendship 
subsisted among them, and so fraught were 
they with the ideas of English honour, 
probity, and justice, and the dignity of a 
British king, that, in the year 1687, the 
then Mosquito king, with the full consent 
of his tribes, made a formal and voluntary 
cession of the Mosquito shore to the King 
of England ; and from that time, although 
the Indian crown is hereditary, yet no 
public act of his is acknowledged valid, 



22 

until his title is recognised and ratified 
by tiie Governor of Jamaica, or the su- 
perindant of the shore, acting under the 
governor of that island. 



The late king George, who, in an in- 
surrection, was murdered by his own sub- 
jects at Black River, was crowned king of 
the Mosquito Shore, at the chief settle- 
ment (Black River) by Captain, after- 
wards Colonel, Laurie, in March 17/7t' 
where, a Fort had been erected, at the end 
of the war in 1763 ; and, with a single corn- 
pauy of the 49tb regiment, assisted by the 
Indians, the turbulent spirit of the Spa- 
niards was so quelled, that the Colony 
was in a state of perfect safety ; and Lord 
Halhfax, at that time, by letter declared, 
that the Mosquito Shore was a British 
settlement ; and Lord Dartmouth, in the 
year 1775, ordered a legislative council to 
be chosen there; and in consequence of 



- 23 

the governor of Jamaica's commission 
a court of common pleas was established 
in 1776 ; hence it was deemed a part of 
the British territories, and in all com mis- 
sion^, &c. Sec. joined to Bonacca and 
Rattan, as depending, and annexed to 
the government of Jamaica^ and, however 
matters may be now contradicted, yet 
it is certain, that, in Lord Hillsbo- 
rough's administration, a particular com- 
mission did actually pass through his office, 
erecting this a government independent of 
Jamaica, in the person of the superinten- 
dant of the shore, and his council; but 
shortly afterwards recalled, lest, as it was 
alleged, it might give umbrage to the then 
governor of that island, who, in conse- 
quence of a misunderstanding and animo- 
sity against the superintendant of the 
shore, thought proper to construe the 17th 
article of the treaty of Versailles into an 
acknowledgement of a Spanish territorial 



24 

right to that country, and took to Jamaica 
the ordnance, after razing the fort at 
Black River, ordering away a detachment 
of British soldiers commanded by Colonel 
Laurie. Thus were the Mosquito Indians 
abandoned, and of course all controul 
over the acts or proceedings of their go- 
vernment resigned by England ; from 
then up to the present time, the natives 
have themselves defended the coast, and 
successfully resisted the repeated attacks of 
their hereditary and implacable enemies 
the Spaniards ; resolved to a man, to shed 
the last drop of their blood, rather than 
recognize them as friends, or subject them- 
selves to their authority: this assertion they 
have often solemnly made to me. 



On the Mosquito shore were eleven 
tribes of Indians, inhabiting different dis- 
tricts ; and out of that number, there were 
only two of them that were properly de-* 



25 

nominated Mosquito men. One tribe, the 
Potook men, were most cruelly extirpated 
by Spanish perfidy, which is too notorious 
to be noticed here ; the Ramas are situated 
in the most southern part, between Saint 
Juans and Blue Fields, in peace with the 
Mosquito men ; and who, at various pe- 
riods of the year, carry on a considerable 
traffick with the Spaniards, it would be 
sound policy and very desirable, by using 
every means in our power, to endeavour 
to make friends of these people ; as, through 
their country, a passage might easily be 
found to the rich, and almost defenceless 
cities of Leon and Grenada. The Cocko- 
racks are denominated wild and tame, in 
order to distinguish the civilized from the 
uncivilized. 

The Indian race of Mosquito men in- 
habited the coast from Blue Fields to 
Tibuppy, under the orders of two of their 



26 

Qwn chiefs, called the Admiral and Gover- 
nor. They were ever considered the best 
class of Mosquito men, from their indus- 
try and orderly disposition ; but they were 
not liked by the Samboes, who some years 
ago, with the late murdered king at their 
head, nearly extirpated the whole of them, 
burnt their dwellings, and hung their 
chiefs; by which this tribe has become 
almost extinct. 

The Woolways, aback of Pearl Key 
Lagoon, and Brangman's Bluff, with the 
Tonglaws, Uticaws, Towacaws, Parrama- 
caws, and Poyers, from Wanks River to 
the great rocks, are the only inhabitants : 
these six nations live in the interior, and 
form a barrier between the Spaniards, and 
the whole of the Mosquito territory. 



The Samboe race of Mosquito men in- 
habit the country from Sandy Bay to Po- 



27 

took; tolerably nii met ous, rather indolent, 
most of tueir labour being performed by 
their wives. There is no mode of ascertain- 
ing theh' number ; but, from many circum- 
stances, it may be inferred, that five hun- 
dred men might be induced to follow an 
army, without injury to their own country. 
They are particularly us ful, as woodsmen; 
skilful in hunting, striking fish, managing 
batteaux, canoes, dorys, and pit-pans,, 
either in rapid rivers, or high surf beaches : 
they have an idea, that, in \vhatever ser- 
vices their friends or relations may lose their 
lives, or die, that all such must be paid for, 
and it has been regularly demanded, even 
in battle ; when satisfactory answers have 
not been given, they have been known to 
retreat in a most dangerous and disorderly 
manner; as, on the contrary, if they had 
been promised payment, they might have 
materially assisted in defeating the Spanish 
dragoons, in the plains of either Ma- 
tigulphi), or Watigulpha. These people 



28 

worship evil spirits ; giving as a reason for 
doing so, that good ones v^ill do them no 
harm, and they are much afraid the evil 
and bad ones will ; amongst the worst are 
the Woolsaw, or the Devil. Immediately 
on any of their people dying, they desert 
the habitation, and build themselves new 
settlements. — ^The difference of complexion 
so observable between the Samboe and all 
the other tribes, I account for, by the fate of 
a Guinea ship wrecked on their coast, 
when all the males were murdered, and the 
females taken as their wives, of whom 
they take as many as they are able to sup- 
port; the first wife usually enjoying the 
pre-eminence, living together in much ap- 
parent harmony, taking it in rotation to 
attend each other at the delivery of their 
children, whom, as soon as born, they throw, 
or take themselves, into the coldest rivers ; 
and it is surprizing no accidents, or ill 
effects, are ever produced from this prac- 
tice either on the mother or the new horn 



29 

babe, to whom, as it grows up, they are 
extremely indulgent ; it is very rare they 
are ever chided, and never beat. 

From a personal knowledge of the Mos- 
quito shore, together with my reading 
and reflections on the subject, corroborated 
with many a long and prolix conversation 
with aged natives, I do firmly believe, and 
feel no hesitation in pronouncing it capable, 
under the impression of English money, 
perseverance, and influence, to supply thq 
whole world with rum, sugar, cofl^ee, 
cotton, cocoa, and molasses, in one hun- 
dred years after the next settlement, that 
may be judged expedient to be formed 
there, and I know it to be the best poor 
man's country I ever saw or read of. 

Innumerable other advantages very na- 
turally suggest themselves to me, as con- 
nected with this important subject; but I 
will wave narrating them, first, because I am 



30 

anxious to avoid spinning out my memoir 
to a tedious length ; and secondlj^ because 
I am confident the sketch I have o;iven, must 
bring home with irresistible forccjto the intel- 
ligent and reflecting mind, this positive and 
incontrovertible fact, viz. that the Mosqui- 
to territory, on account of the richness of 
the soil, the luxuriance of the woods, the 
great salubrity of its air, the remarkable 
excellence of its water and provisions, with 
the almost unrivalled harbours for shipping 
with which the shore abounds, is excelled 
by no country that I know of under the 
influence of British dominion. 



Having enlarged so much in favour of 
a country too long neglected, and at this 
very time highly ambitious of the honour 
of becoming intimately connected with 
the British government; it may be expect- 
ed that I should suggest a feasible plan for 
the attainment of this object. 



31 

I have been assured, and I have every 
reason to rest confident, that many of the 
gentlemen at present settled at Honduras, 
with their effects and slaves, amounting in 
the whole to fourteen or fifteen hundred 
souls, would gladly re-people the Mosqui- 
to shore ; so well aware are they of the 
superior excellence of that country, com- 
pared to their present possessions, were 
they assured of the countenance of govern- 
ment ; and as all infant colonies require 
and look up to the mother country for 
assistance and support, it is not, I hope, 
too much to presume, for a portion of each 
in favour of a settlement, that, I trust, I 
have described as being; of sufficient na- 
tional importance to claim both. 

Under this presumption I should take 
the honour of recommending to his Majes- 
ty's confidential servants to propose to Par- 
liament a grant of for thjs sj)e-: 



32 

cific purpose, to be placed under the ma- 
nagement of commissioners, whom they 
might appoint ; and who could, upon the 
spot, appropriate it under necessary re- 
strictions, to what would be deemed by 
the governor, for the public good. 

Taking this for granted, and when the 
advantages that are to be met with from 
peopling this country, are made known, 
it is but reasonable to suppose that adven- 
turers, settlers, and mechanics of every 
description, would cheerfully accompany 
an expedition to a settlement, where their 
talents and industry would immediately be 
called into action, as well for the public 
benefit, as for individual emolument. 



THE END. 



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